Bill Text: AZ SCR1026 | 2017 | Fifty-third Legislature 1st Regular | Enrolled
Bill Title: Civics education; Arizona schools
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-16 - Transmitted to Secretary of State [SCR1026 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2017-SCR1026-Enrolled.html
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Senate Engrossed |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-third Legislature First Regular Session 2017
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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1026 |
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
expressing a commitment to the promotion of civics education in Arizona schools.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Whereas, in 2014, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics in the United States Department of Education, found that only 23% of eighth graders performed at or above the proficient level in civics; and
Whereas, a 2014 survey of 1,416 adults conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania (Annenberg survey) found that only 36% of respondents could name all three branches of government and that 35% of respondents could not name a single one; and
Whereas, the Annenberg survey also found that only 27% of Americans know that it takes a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate to override a presidential veto, that 21% of Americans incorrectly think that a 5-4 Supreme Court decision is sent back to Congress for reconsideration and that more than half of Americans do not know which party controls the House and Senate; and
Whereas, in the words of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, "[t]he practice of democracy is not passed down through the gene pool. It must be taught and learned anew by each generation of citizens"; and
Whereas, the lack of an educational foundation regarding the fundamentals of the democracy established by this country's founders and defended by generations of American soldiers increases the potential for incivility and threatens the sustainability of the American Democracy; and
Whereas, civics education produces an enlightened citizenry through increased knowledge of this nation's form and execution of government along with its historical significance as a protector of civility and freedom; and
Whereas, there are a number of civics education programs that are free and available for use in the Arizona K-12 public school system; and
Whereas, affording Arizona students a proper and thorough civics education using contemporary teaching and learning methods is vital to ensuring the success of this great nation.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the Members of the Legislature express a continuing commitment to the promotion of civics education in Arizona schools.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE MARCH 15, 2017.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE SENATE MARCH 15, 2017.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE MARCH 16, 2017.
