Education for Civic Life and Work

Promise 

Each student is prepared for global workforce competition and
equipped to vote, volunteer, and lift their voices in public life through
stage-appropriate instruction, learning about their culture, democracy, and history.

Problem 

The United States spends 2.7 times as much (per person) on
incarceration as it does on education. In 2022, we saw the most severe drop in math scores for 4th and 8th graders since the first National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) was conducted in 1990. Thirteen states have no civics course requirement, and only seven require a full year of government or civics instruction.

Policy Path 

In this zone, CDF will advocate for public policy related to: (1) Positive youth development, (2) Civics education, (3) Workforce development, (4) Culturally-responsive pedagogy, and (5) Equitable education funding formulas.

Moonshot Generational Commitment

Lower the federal the voting age to 16 years old. Evolve public school funding from primary reliance on property taxes to more equitable revenue model.

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Related Updates

  • Education

    Banning Books, Stunting Growth

    Book banning as an idea and action has been around for centuries. It’s a key piece to many parts of history; restricting information from the masses to keep a current group in power, to ensure undesired information is not spread, and new ideas snuffed out.…

  • Education

    Preserving Our Voices in the Fight for Intellectual Freedom

    In today’s rapidly changing world, the freedom to educate ourselves is more important than ever. It shapes our ability to understand, empathize, and connect with the diverse array of human experiences. …

  • Immigration

    New Report Reveals the Scale of State Violence Inflicted on Migrant Children and Families under Operation Lone Star 

    CDF-TX is deeply concerned about the severe and life-threatening mistreatment of migrant children and their families by law enforcement agencies carrying out Operation Lone Star in our state, and about the fact that many of these migrants—who fear persecution, torture, or death in their home countries—are being denied the legal right under U.S. and international law to apply for asylum.  …

  • Child Poverty

    Economic Justice Outreach News

    Since our establishment in 1985, Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota (CDF-MN) has been at the forefront of addressing the unique needs of Minnesota’s children, youth, and families envisioning a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive.…