Cole introduces bipartisan bill to expand civics, history education in U.S. schools

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) on Sept. 17 introduced bipartisan legislation to create grants for states, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and civic education researchers to bolster and expand access to American civics and history education. 

“I am proud to join in introducing this important legislation to support and expand access to civics and history education so we may develop and teach curriculum that enriches generations to come,” Rep. Cole said last week.

The congressman signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Educating for Democracy Act of 2020, H.R. 8295, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), which also would require the National Assessments of Education Progress (NAEPs) in civic and history education to be conducted every four years in grades four, eight and 12, and to make available disaggregated, state-level results, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Cole’s office.

“The best way to preserve America’s unique form of governance is through civics education,” said Rep. Cole. “Indeed, when Americans are equipped with the fundamental knowledge of our democratic principles, they are much more likely to participate.”

In fact, according to a 2017 white paper released by iCivics Inc., a U.S. nonprofit organization that provides educational online games and lesson plans to promote civics education and encourage students to become active citizens, the students who receive quality civics education are more likely to vote, discuss politics at home, complete college, and develop skills that lead to employment.

“The divide in this country continues to grow as we neglect civic education and fail to build a nation adequately informed of our democratic principles, norms and institutions,” said Rep. DeLauro. “We must focus on educating our citizens in order to sustain our democracy, and the federal government must provide the resources to support this learning.”

H.R. 8295 is supported by numerous groups and organizations, including the National Association of Secondary School Principals, iCivics, the CivXNow Coalition, the American Association for State and Local History, the National Coalition for History, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, the National Council for the Social Studies, Public Advocacy for Kids, YMCA Youth and Government, and many more.