The people who founded America educated themselves about democracy. They studied the histories of earlier civilizations and understood why they had failed. They also had experienced the reality of oppressive government. They further understood that maintaining our new democracy required an educated citizenry. This was true in the past for the founding of American democracy, but is even more true now because the internal forces that weaken the democratic system are a continuing presence and challenge in America and the world.

The civic education needed to support our democracy should begin in grade school and continue through high school and into adulthood. It should involve actual experience in democratic processes. That means experience in holding meetings, debating policies, building co

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