Sending Office: Honorable Alcee L. Hastings
Sent By:
Katrina.Martell@mail.house.gov

Become an Original Cosponsor of the Civics Learning Act of 2019

Cosponsors: Rep. Rob Woodall, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Al Green, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Federica Wilson, Rep. Darren Soto, Rep. Josh Harder, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rep. Gregory
W. Meeks

Dear Colleague:

Please join us as an original cosponsor of the Civics Learning Act of 2019, which would reaffirm Congress’ commitment to ensure that young people in our country receive a strong civics education.

Civics education is in need of renewed focus. In 2014, only 23% of eighth graders performed at or above a proficient level on the National Assessment of Educational Progress Civics Exam. The Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania
found that:

• In 2018, only 32% of Americans surveyed could name all three branches of government.
• In 2018, only 30% of Americans surveyed knew that the Senate is in charge of confirming Supreme Court nominees.
• In 2017, only 37% of Americans surveyed could name any of the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment.

The Civics Learning Act of 2019 would amend the Education and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to increase funding for innovative and evidence-based civics learning and teaching programs. This bill aims to empower local schools to develop
a curriculum tailored to their individual needs that will increase civic knowledge among the electorate, boost civic participation, and thus strengthen our democracy.

Recognizing that most civics programs focus on high school teachers and students, this bill would ensure funding for elementary, middle, and high school programs in order to create a lasting foundation for civic knowledge. In addition, this bill would prioritize
funding for high-need schools, underserved populations, and low-access areas such as rural or inner-city communities.

If you have any questions or would like to become an original cosponsor, please contact Krystal Milam at
Krystal.Milam@mail.house.gov or 5-1313 (Rep. Hastings) or Nicholas Scoufaras at
Nicholas.Scoufaras@mail.house.gov or 5-4272 (Rep. Woodall).

Sincerely,                                    

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