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To the editor:

Public education should not just be limited to preparing students to attain a good job but more importantly a well-rounded quality of life. A lot of that quality of life can be worsened or bettered by the health of democracy. Currently, our democracy is in distress.

It is time that we realize that our public schools must prioritize the teaching of civic education. By civic education I mean that students should be able to graduate from high school with a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate their democracy. This civic education must go beyond informing students that they can call their representatives when they dont agree with a policy. It should give students the tools to have a critical and productive conversation with their fellow citizens, to organize to bring forward effective change, to engage in their local communities and to take into consideration the equal voice among all people.

It should also present students with an encompassing view of American history so that we can learn from past successes and mistakes and apply them to the future. We cannot turn away from of our history no matter how ugly some of the details may be.

Showing students, even at a young age, that elected officials work for them and that they can exert pressure on those officials is vital to a civic revival. In comparison with STEM courses (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), the teaching of social studies, civics, and the arts is positioned by school systems as being less important.

Our political discourse is trash. Not only does it reek in the heat of campaigns, but within the halls of government and in interviews presented to us in the media. Now, lies are spewed, science and fact are ignored, and events are made up out of thin air. The fourth estate is being attacked as fake and deemed worthless. This is not a partisan issue. This is an issue where we must be able to look past the labels of liberal and conservative. I urge you to call your state representatives and senators regarding Bill SD954/HD2189 that is waiting to be heard in committee at the Statehouse. If passed it would provide Massachusetts youth with a student-centered civic education.

While better civic education programs wont solve all of our problems, it can instill people at a young age with the skills, tools, and will to create a healthier democracy. Civic education may just be the spark we need inreclaiming that power.

Matthew Mogavero

Peabody

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Letter: Better education, better democracy - The Salem News