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.
Learn MoreRelated Updates
-
Immigration
Tell City Officials in Austin: Protect and Support Families
A recent 911 call in Austin led to the arrest, detention, and deportation of a U.S. citizen child. This incident underscores how collaboration between the Austin Police Department (APD) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is putting children and families at risk and eroding public trust. …
-
Gun Violence
CDF Cares: Supporting Children and Families After the Fatal Shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti
Children’s Defense Fund stands with those affected, offering care, connection, and advocacy during times of crisis. …
-
Immigration
Tell Congress: End Family Detention Now!
As a result of the huge budget cuts Congress made to life-saving programs like Medicaid and SNAP in its budget reconciliation bill this summer, millions of Americans are losing access to healthcare and nutrition assistance. …
-
Education
Advocate for Immigrant Students’ Access to Higher Education in Texas
During the recent Texas legislative session, some lawmakers proposed legislation that would have limited the provisions of the Texas Dream Act so that Texas high school graduates who are undocumented could no longer qualify for in-state tuition. …