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Have you ever come across the popular saying C’s get degrees? Maybe you've even found comfort in it at some point in your life. But I urge you to reconsider. This advice, if we can even call it that, is a dangerous trap. It's not just a support I’ve seen peers use while surviving a semester of higher education; but it is an inferior mindset that can lead to a lifetime of mediocrity.
In my one year at the University of Louisville as a Political Science Major and McConnell Scholar, the discussion of civic education across the nation, and more importantly, the Commonwealth, has become unavoidable, and rightfully so. While Kentuckians are known to be twice as likely as the average American to be able to name the three branches of government and at least one of their state legislators, this January proved that was no longer the case. The 2023 State Civic Health Assessment was, for Kentucky, a C rating (Technically, a D+ on social civics and a B on polarization). So, congratulations! We passed! But at what cost?
It is no surprise that civic education in this country is in jeopardy. We once lived in a time where there was a deliberate commitment by all to an education regarding public affairs, beliefs, and capabilities for a flourishing society. This last year, the McConnell Center has been on a journey through Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America to uncover the true purpose of self-government through a Frenchman’s observations. One notable emphasis Tocqueville made was, “Town meetings are to liberty what primary schools are to science; they bring it within the people’s reach, they teach men how to use and how to enjoy it.”
Now, civics has taken a turn where only 30% of individuals find it essential to live in a democracy, and only 44% of Americans can name the three branches of government. In our Commonwealth, House Bill 535 was passed through with a 71-13 majority to provide an alternative for school districts to choose between the civics test and a credit in civic education for graduating high school students. There have also been certain efforts taken by McConnell Scholar Alumni and Secretary of State, Michael Adams, to offer a more robust education in civics that is accessible to all schools in the state, such as the “Kentucky Civic Education Coalition.” While baby steps are still progress, we can do more.
This may sound uncommon, but something I have pondered for some time now, on long walks to class, before I close my eyes at night, and as I sit and people-watch at my favorite local coffee shop is, how do we fix this? The first time I got asked this, I was freshly seventeen and hadn’t yet voted in a Presidential Election, or any for that matter. Yet, it is this question that I have come back to over and over. I’m not an expert of civic education, but I am a passionate student and citizen who wants to help.
All minds reading this are just one of some 330 million United States citizens, so it may seem like your efforts won’t have a profound or noticeable effect on our country or its future, but again, baby steps are still progress. As one person, there are the obvious efforts that should be made like voting or participating in jury duty when called. But, some of the non-obvious ways to participate in government or your community can also be attending town hall or school board meetings, checking the news every day, donating to a political organization of your choice, reading books with intellectual civics merit like The Republic of Plato by Allan Bloom or American Dialogue by Joseph J. Ellis, watch debates for upcoming elections from both sides of the isle, or even have hard conversations with differing opinions. But most importantly, listen. It is something we don’t do often enough and can quite literally change the trajectory of your life. Listening is learning, and learning is knowledge, and knowledge is power.
This may seem like a big ask considering this is my life. I love politics, law, and public policy and I always have. It’s something I hope to be granted the opportunity to pursue for the rest of my life. I understand the distaste or hesitancy in being engaged with how polarized our country is or even having different passions than that of civics. I was raised by an acute care cardiology nurse and an accountant with a chemical engineering sister. S.T.E.M and economics surround me. However, this is not a large feat for the individual. You cannot ignore the fact it is just not enough to get a 70%, or a C, on the Civics Test and graduate having ‘done enough’. We all have to do more.
There was a time- not very long ago, let me note- that our country went into a Civil War because of its polarizing political views. We have been in much worse political conditions with history being made at that very moment, so you cannot tell me that being uncomfortable or bored with the topic is an excuse. The reality is, we have been granted the virtues of a free country to “read, think, speak, and write” (John Adams) as we wish with unlimited access to diverse literature and perspectives. It’s right in front of us and it is our responsibility to understand how fortunate we are and do our part in preserving it.
I am not insinuating that our country or Commonwealth is perfect nor disregarding the inequalities so many have endured on American soil. That is an entirely separate conversation. But, coming from just one human being to another, the only way we will ever truly be united under liberty and justice for all is through civic education. It is an indispensable pillar of democracy and the foundation of a common good. I was lucky enough to have received a civic education in both high school and now in my college career. With this, if I can tell you anything, just like C’s will not get someone an adequate educational experience, a civic C is a terrible way to waste the American dream.
So, I have to ask you again. At what cost?
Kathleen, of Fort Thomas, Ky., is a member of the McConnell Scholar Class of 2027 at the University of Louisville. She plans to study political science on a pre-law track.