U.S. Department of Education develops act for 21st Century Citizens

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan along with several Obama Administration and education officials launched a national conversation today about the importance of educating students for informed, engaged citizenship with the release of the Department's report, "Civic Learning and Engagement in Democracy: A Road Map and Call to Action." The release coincides with the publication of a final report from the National Task Force on Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement, "A Crucible Moment: College Learning & Democracy's Future," which was commissioned by the Department.

"Today's students are tomorrow's leaders, and giving them a strong foundation in civic values is critical to the vitality of America's democracy and economy in the 21st century," Secretary Duncan said. "This call to action is an opportunity to develop and improve civic learning as part of a well-rounded education so every student has a sense of citizenship."

Today's reports will be the focus of an event at the White House, "For Democracy's Future: Education Reclaims Our Civic Mission," which will bring together Administration officials and education leaders for a series of discussions about advancing civic learning throughout the education pipeline. The conversations will be structured around the five priorities for action developed by the National Task Force and the American Commonwealth Partnership, which brings together schools, colleges and other partners to promote civic learning and civic identity throughout American education.