Middle schools will include civics in 2010-11

Middle schools in Pasco County soon will put a greater emphasis on teaching civics.

The school district plans to implement a seventh-grade civics class in August, putting Pasco ahead of schedule as state-mandated civics requirements are phased in at all Florida middle schools over the next few years.

Paula Lesko, who coordinates the social studies curriculum in Pasco for students in elementary school through high school, said Florida's new emphasis on the subject is a positive development.

"I think it's necessary, and I think it's a good thing for our students and for our community," Lesko said.

Gov. Charlie Crist signed a bill last week that makes civics a more integral part of the middle school curriculum. Eventually, students must demonstrate mastery of the subject by passing an end-of-course exam before moving on to high school.

It's the state Legislature's way of trying to counter a lack of understanding among many people - especially young people - about how government functions.

"The United States is based upon voter participation," state Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey, said. "If you take a look at the reality, since World War II, voter participation and voter awareness of the process has diminished."

As a result, people are more apt to complain, but less likely to become civically engaged because they don't understand the system, said Legg, chairman of the Pre-K-12 Policy Committee for the state House of Representatives.

The new requirements, detailed in the Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Education Act, start taking effect in the 2011-12 school, year when civic lessons will be incorporated into the reading portion of the language arts curriculum.

Beginning with students entering sixth grade in 2012-13, a one-semester civics course will be required that includes the roles and responsibilities of federal, state and local governments and the structures and functions of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.

Also included will be lessons on and the meaning and significance of historic documents such as the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

A standardized end-of-course exam is planned, and beginning in 2013-14, will count for 30 percent of the student's grade.

The test also will become a factor in determining the school's grade.

Performing well on the exam becomes even more crucial in 2014-15, when students must earn a passing grade on the exam to pass the course and be promoted to high school.

Lesko said by starting the civics class in August, Pasco will have a head start on the state requirements.

"I think it's a benefit for us to do this, especially since this bill has become law," Lesko said.

The school district plans a four-day Civics Institute this summer to help prepare teachers who will teach the course.

Although the new law gives civics a more prominent role, the subject wasn't completely missing from the curriculum.

Civics lessons were woven into other social studies classes. Students also often participated in mock elections and programs such as Project Citizen, which aimed to help them become more informed and engaged citizens.

That's the aim of the civics bill, Legg said.

Often, people are confused about the roles of federal, state and local governments.

Legg said his office experiences that confusion firsthand. It's not unusual for him to receive calls from constituents on topics such as national health insurance or the war in Afghanistan, issues that are the purview of the federal government, not the state Legislature.

"As an elected official, I want to be held accountable for my actions, but I don't want to be held accountable for Congress' actions," Legg said.

Legg said he anticipates social studies teachers will embrace the new requirements. They often become frustrated that school administrators focus on the subjects that are measured by standardized tests, such as math, reading and science, he said.

That can mean other subjects get short shrift.

"Now that there is a measurement in civics, there is going to be a greater push to make sure it is taught properly," Legg said.

Legg said some people have criticized the idea of a "must-pass exam." It will be up to the state Board of Education to set the cutoff score for passing, and usually such cutoff scores are low, Legg said.

He doesn't anticipate seeing thousands of middle school students held back from high school because of civics.

"Those held back are basically those putting zero effort into the course," he said.