#Educate to Empower

Educate to Empower is a Project TEAL campaign in support of the Civics Act of 2023. It was introduced in the Senate as S.2775 in September 2023. This bill aims to amend the American History and Civics Education program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require inclusion of programs that educate students about the history and principles of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights.

Policy Brief: Civics Act of 2023

Overview of the Bill

• Sponsor (Senate): Angus King 

• Committees: Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

• Latest Action: Senate - 09/13/2023 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. 

Issues Addressed in the Bill

1. The Importance of Civics Education

Civics education is vital to preparing students to navigate the complexities of democracy. It equips young people with the knowledge and skills to participate in civic life, fostering informed and active citizenship. The Civics Act of 2023 recognizes the need to address gaps in civics knowledge and aims to strengthen democratic engagement.

2. Equity in Civics Education
   Significant disparities exist in access to high-quality civics education, particularly in underfunded schools and marginalized communities. This bill seeks to ensure equitable access to robust civics programs that empower all students, regardless of socioeconomic background.

3. Promoting Respectful Discourse
   In an era of increasing political polarization, civics education plays a critical role in fostering respectful dialogue. By teaching students to engage with diverse perspectives and debate constructively, the Civics Act of 2023 aims to reduce societal divisions and encourage collaborative problem-solving.

4. Community Engagement and Voter Participation
   Civics education has been shown to increase long-term community involvement and voter turnout. The Civics Act of 2023 seeks to embed civic responsibility in students early, ensuring they grow into engaged and informed citizens who contribute to their communities and participate in the democratic process.

Key Provisions of the Bill

1. Enhanced Civics Curriculum

   • Allocates funding for the development and implementation of comprehensive civics education programs in K-12 schools.

   • Promotes interactive teaching methods, such as debates, simulations, and service-learning projects.

2. Professional Development for Educators

   • Provides training and resources for teachers to deliver high-quality civics instruction.

   • Encourages the integration of current events and critical thinking skills into the curriculum.

3. Grants for Underserved Schools

   • Establishes a grant program to ensure schools in low-income and rural areas have access to robust civics education resources.

   • Prioritizes funding for schools with limited existing civics programs.

4. Focus on Media Literacy

   • Incorporates media literacy into civics education to help students critically evaluate information and combat misinformation.

Lobby day

Join us on November 26, 2024 at 4:30 CST for an email/phone-banking event in support of the The Civics Act of 2023. Activists will be supplied and prepared with the resources they need to be successful lobbyists. Sign up with the link in our Instagram's bio area. Make sure to follow our Instagram account for more on this campaign.

*Sample Call Script: 

Hello, my name is [Your Name] from [Your City/State]. I’m calling on behalf of Project TEAL, a student-led, non-partisan organization dedicated to revitalizing democracy, to express my strong support for The  Civics  Act of 2023. This bill is essential to ensuring that all students receive a comprehensive civics education, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to actively participate in our democracy.

There are significant gaps in civics education across the country, particularly in underfunded schools, which leave many students unprepared to engage in civic life. The Civics Act of 2023 addresses these challenges by providing funding for enhanced civics curricula, teacher training, and programs that promote respectful discourse and critical thinking.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

We called a total of 93 Congressmen and Congresswomen across states like , Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota and many more!