January 23, 2014: State Bar President Writes Governor Cuomo That Schools Fail to Provide Meaningful Civics Education

January 23, 2014: State Bar President Writes Governor Cuomo That Schools Fail to Provide Meaningful Civics Education

1.23.2014

By Communications Department

New York State Bar Association President David M. Schraver of Rochester (Nixon Peabody) wrote to Governor Andrew Cuomo on January 22, 2014 about the critical need to enhance civics education in New York’s schools. Text of the letter is below. 

Dear Governor Cuomo:

Recently, many members of the Legislature wrote to you to express urgent concerns about the state of primary and secondary education in New York, noting that “the quality of the curriculum has diminished.”

One of the major shortcomings of today’s curriculum is the failure to provide meaningful civics education to our state’s students. Comprehensive civics education in all grades is critical if we are to have a citizenry that understands the role and functioning of our government. Moreover, without a solid understanding of government, our children will be unable to become effective and responsible citizens or full partners in our democracy.

A recent report by the New York State Bar Association Committee on Law, Youth and Citizenship found that civics education is essential to perpetuating an active, informed and engaged citizenry, and advancement of civics education is an Association priority in 2014. Our governmental institutions, including our legal institutions and justice system, depend upon the effectiveness of today’s educational institutions to develop Americans who are educated and committed to the maintenance of the rule of law. We need future citizens who understand the institutions of constitutional democracy, including our system of law and justice. No institution in American society other than our schools can accomplish this civic mission, and the need is even greater today as we welcome new Americans to our land during an era of historic immigration levels.

I urge you to consider the critical need for civics education as you and the Legislature develop the state’s 2014-2015 budget.

Warm regards,

David M. Schraver

The 75,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. In was founded in 1876.

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