This is my third post concerning Representative James Edming’s good idea to use the budget process to thwart democracy and require all Wisconsin students to pass a civics test before they can graduate (Using the budget process to pass legislation without debate is NOT on the civics test).
At first I thought it was just a stupid idea and a continuation of accountability schemes that do nothing but punish students, teachers , and schools. A good reason to start a new opt out movement.
Then after some reflection it became obvious—this test was not just one more useless test. It was an imposition on the freedom to learn a diverse social studies curriculum. In fact, it would promote European dominance and sideline any courses or requirements to help our students understand the rich diversity of historical narratives that make up the American story—state mandated racism by omission.
And now, after just a few hours of conducting simple GOOGLE research, it appears to me that “Jimmy Boy” never really had a good idea and the mandatory civics test was the mission of the Joe Foss Institute. “Jimmy Boy” was a just the delivery agent pushing the agenda of the Joe Foss Institute to require a mandatory civics test in all 50 states(see here for interesting facts about the people associated with the Joe Foss Institute).
What’s the problem Tim? So what if Jimmy Boy doesn’t really have any of his own good ideas? There’s nothing wrong with Wisconsin students knowing American Civics and learning to be patriotic! Maybe. Maybe not. However—as a first level practitioner of American civics—Representative Edming, before thwarting democracy, should have let THE PEOPLE know that requiring a mandatory civics test was the agenda of an extremely well funded right wing institute. The people of Wisconsin should have had a chance to debate the need for government funded right-wing patriotic propaganda being mandated by the state. It’s one thing to talk about the lack of so called civic knowledge. It’s an outrageous thing when only one version of civics—obedience and blind patriotism—is mandated by oligarchic pawns.
What about mandated culturally relevant curricula and ethnic studies? Why perpetuate the divisive story of American exceptionalism when research clearly shows more promise in engaging students in critical history and ethnically centered curricula?
The answer is simple: What works in empowering citizens to take action was never and is still not the purpose of a mandatory civics test.
Brief History Lesson.
In 2010 Tom Horne (Arizona’s Superintendent of Public instruction) ran for state office with a platform that promoted the elimination of ethnic studies. In 2011 Arizona made ethnic studies illegal. At the time Arizona’s Superintendent of Public instruction was John Huppenthal. Huppenthal had replaced Tom Horne. However, both men were never shy about their disdain for ethnic studies.
After the banning of ethnic studies in Arizona, John Huppenthal introduced the new “American Heritage – Arizona Centennial Initiative.” The initiative’s stated purpose was “to strengthen our students’ civic literacy as American citizens and learn about Arizona’s unique heritage” and was commended by the Joe Foss Institiute.
The Joe Foss Institute is proud to be a part of this initiative, …. Our goal through this program and our online curriculum is to assist educators in teaching the basic foundation of how our government works and an appreciation for the uniqueness of our freedoms…. This exciting American Heritage – Arizona Centennial Initiative is a tremendous opportunity to create civic pride in our young people – and teach them the valuable lesson of giving back since they are the future! I applaud Superintendent Huppenthal for this initiative….
By 2015 Arizona had become to first state to mandate the Joe Foss Institute’s call for a high stakes test in the form of an American Civics test.
Evidence Based Conclusion
Wisconsin is the 9th state in the country to mandate a high stakes civics test for graduation. The idea for this mandate is the direct result of the racist elimination of the ethnic studies curricula in Arizona and an ideology that believes in blind and obedient patriotism. Students is Wisconsin are the victims of a paranoid contingency of right wing alarmists that fear a truly educated electorate.
Engaged Citizen Recommendation
- Opt out of the mandatory civics test.
- Demand the teaching of culturally relevant history.
- Demand an inclusive ethnic studies program.
- Deny politicians like “Jimmy Boy” the use of civic shenanigans.
- And NO MORE GOOD IDEAS without public hearings!
