EDUCATION
Senate bill introduces mandatory civics class for all high school students By Nicole Blume
A
Chimpanzee residents enjoy fresh vegetables and free exploration in their outdoor play spaces 24
braham Lincoln once said, “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” Perhaps Oregon legislators were thinking of this quote when they signed a new bill last spring that will require high school students in Oregon to take one semester of dedicated civics education prior to graduation. Senate Bill 513, which passed the House unanimously and the Senate chamber on a 25-3 vote, was introduced by Republican lawmakers but approved with widespread bipartisan support. In an age where political differences often seem intractably divisive, it’s encouraging to see both sides of the aisle come together to support our students’ education and promote civic engagement and responsibility among our youth. “A newly required civics course will direct schools to provide a semester-long course in high school solely focused on the civics and government standards as well as the possibility for students to engage in civics projects,” says Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill. “A vibrant and thriving democracy requires citizens who know how to effectively engage
