Civics EducationMar 3, 201528mGuest: Frank Riggs, CEO of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Joe Foss Institute, former U.S. Congressman, and a national education leader
Some 650,000 became naturalized citizens of the United States last year, and in doing so, passed a civics test that would stump most natural-born citizens.
“We think that the civics test is just a floor, a baseline way to gauge that fundamental teaching and learning is occurring,” says Riggs.
“I believe the fundamental responsibility of education,” says Riggs, “is to prepare young people for citizenship.”
The principles found in the Constitution “are what unite us as Americans. They are the inspiration and the pathway to liberty, prosperity, and opportunity in our society,” says Riggs.