History education in schools is so poor that students often enter college ignorant of the past - and leave just as unenlightened.
Max BootRead
There is little doubt that our society is changing rapidly, but one thing will never change as long as we remain a democracy: the need for voters to know the essentials of our history and government.
Interpretation
Voters must be informed about history and government as society evolves.
Max Boot's quote emphasizes the importance of historical and governmental knowledge for voters in a democratic society, highlighting that while societal changes are constant, the foundational knowledge necessary for effective participation in democracy remains essential. This understanding is crucial for making informed decisions and maintaining the integrity of democratic processes.
In practice
During a civic engagement workshop, this quote could be used to stress the importance of understanding political history.
History education in schools is so poor that students often enter college ignorant of the past - and leave just as unenlightened.
We have a long, ugly history of white supremacy in this country, ranging from Jim Crow laws to keep African Americans down to the 1924 Immigration Act to keep non-Europeans out.
Freedom will not prevail because of historical forces; it will only win, if it does, because of historical actors. In other words, us. Those like me who came of age around 1989 used to take democracy for granted.
It is personal. That's what an education does. It makes the world personal.
With the states release today of a set of clear and consistent academic standards, our nation is one step closer to supporting effective teaching in every classroom, charting a path to college and careers for all students, and developing the tools to help all children stay motivated and engaged in their own education. The more states that adopt these college and career based standards, the closer we will be to sharing innovation across state borders and becoming more competitive as a country.
We have to teach our boys the rules of equality and respect, so that as they grow up gender equality becomes a natural way of life. And we have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible.
Books open windows to the world and have the power to transform lives.
In the end, what makes a book valuable is not the paper it's printed on, but the thousands of hours of work by dozens of people who are dedicated to creating the best possible reading experience for you.
Educational bureaucracies dull a child's questing sensitivity.
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