DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MARCH 10 THROUGH MARCH 14, 2025, AS “CIVIC LEARNING WEEK” IN DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Sturgeon & Rep. Michael Smith

Sens. Huxtable, Lockman, Pinkney, Sokola, Wilson; Reps. Bolden, Gorman, Harris, Hilovsky, Morrison, Neal, Ortega, Ross Levin, Shupe, Kamela Smith, Snyder-Hall, Yearick

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19

DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MARCH 10 THROUGH MARCH 14, 2025, AS “CIVIC LEARNING WEEK” IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, our nation’s longstanding and ongoing experiment in self-governance requires a populace with an understanding of the nation’s laws and government, the skills for discussion and working together across differences, and a widespread commitment to the civic strength of our communities; and

WHEREAS, civics is defined as the lifelong process that creates active, responsible, and knowledgeable members of their communities; and

WHEREAS, civic education is vital to sustaining and strengthening constitutional democracy in the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the practice of democracy must be taught and learned anew by each generation; and

WHEREAS, the civic mission of schools plays a central role in building the civic strength of our populace and nation; and

WHEREAS, as shown in research conducted by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University, students who experience comprehensive civic education are more likely to vote, discuss politics at home, complete college, volunteer and work on community issues, speak publicly, and communicate with their elected representatives; and

WHEREAS, Civic Learning Week seeks to unite our community and highlight the importance of civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions that provide the foundation for an informed and engaged populace; and

WHEREAS, the National Assessment of Education Progress reveals a consistent decline in student proficiency on civics assessments given to eighth grade students, with 22% of students performing at the proficient level on the 2022 assessment, and 31% of students performing at or below the basic level; and

WHEREAS, unequal access to quality civic education disproportionately affects low income students and students of color; and

WHEREAS, civic participation is linked to improved access to education and healthcare, better health outcomes, elevated psychological well-being, academic engagement among students, and reduced unemployment rates with increased economic resilience; and

WHEREAS, the American system of government relies on civic participation to operate and flourish, making it imperative that schools and civic organizations hold educational programs on civic duty and encourage Delawareans to reflect upon the importance of their civic duty and responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Civics Education Coalition, comprised of non-profit organizations, state agencies, and institutions of higher education, came together under a commitment shared by our elected and appointed officials to sustain the civic health of our state and nation through high quality civics education.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153

rd

General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the week of March 10 to March 14, 2025, is designated as “Civic Learning Week” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly encourages that all Delawareans recommit to building a more perfect Union by engaging in civic activities and working together under a shared mission to sustain and strengthen our constitutional republic.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution designates the week of March 10 through March 14, 2025, as “Civic Learning Week” in the State of Delaware to encourage schools and civic organizations to hold educational programs regarding civic duty and urge Delawareans to reflect upon the importance of their civic duty and responsibilities.

Author: Senator Sturgeon