Problem: Bettering the Civil Literacy of U.S. Citizens

           Throughout my time at the University of South Carolina as a Political Science major, and a Senate Page, it has become abundantly clear to me the lack of Civil Literacy in our country, specifically with college students. In a study conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2,000 registered voters took a survey that found that 70% of Americans failed a “basic civil literacy quiz” (US Chamber of Commerce Foundation). This study consisted of topics regarding the three branches of government, functions of democracy, and number of elected officials. What is the most frightening is that “just half were able to correctly name the branch of government where bills become laws” (US Chamber of Commerce Foundation). In addition to the lack of civil literacy, is a corresponding lack of confidence in our country’s political system. According to the Pew research Center, “about 6-in-ten (63%) express not too much or no confidence at all in the future of the U.S. political system” (Pew Research Center). The lack of confidence reflects not only the lack of civil literacy of the voter, but also the lack of educational incentives made by the government for the voter. With new channels and social media being heavily polarized and sometimes inaccurate, it makes it difficult for the American citizen to understand what is legitimately happening, rather than what is being said. So, how can our country operate successfully, if its own citizens don’t understand what is going on?

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Pi Chart of the Civil Literacy of Government Branches​​​

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Solution:

Throughout my time in Political Science at the University of South Carolina, the more I have learned and immersed myself in my political classes the more educated and well-versed I have become. While the entire United States population is not going to become a political science major, implementing American Government classes and introductory political classes in primary educational capacities can help educate the American population starting at a younger age. Through the creation of fundamental political knowledge instilled in our youth, our society will ultimately become smarter and more well-versed in political matters and atmospheres. However, this change is too big for just one person to immediately enact. Nonetheless, there are small steps we can take as university students to help the pandemic of lack of civil literacy in South Carolina’s education system. Through spreading awareness, implementation of incentives, and the help of local politicians, we can work towards bettering the civil literacy of high school students in South Carolina.

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Chart Describing the Drop of Civil Literacy in Recent Years

 

 

 

Implementation:

To implement the increase of civil literacy in South Carolina, I propose the following steps:

• Work with the University of South Carolina political science department to survey current students on their civil literacy and general knowledge of the American political field, using questions such as:

  • Which branch of government oversees writing bills?

  • How confident do you feel in your knowledge of our current political climate?

  • What does political polarization mean, and where can you see it?

  • What is the relationship between state and national government?

  • What is the state budget, and how does it affect you?

  • What are your current senators and representative’s names and on which policies do they support?

  •  What does the Bill of Rights entail?

  • What is inflation, and what role does it have in our government’s politics?

  • How do you decipher fake news from real news?

• Push the survey to students who are not in political classes, using social media, flyers, and programming in club meetings.

• Interpret the data and compare it to that of Pew Research Center’s data.

• Combine and demonstrate all my research into a proposal for the South Carolina Senate Education Committee and the South Carolina House of Representatives Educations and Public Works Committee to influence them to include American Government and Introduction to Politics classes in South Carolina schools’ systems.

• Create public seminars and newsletters that give basic, non-partisan political information about the current political climate, based off the data gathered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Chart on the People's Emotions about Politics

 

 

Evaluation:

To determine the success of my survey and implementation, I would first need to see my progress in implementation. Was I only successful in holding public seminars, political programming in club meetings, and publishing bi-partisan newsletters and flyers? Or was I successful in implementing American Government and Introduction to Politics to high school requirements (farther out of reach). Either way, to see if the increase of civil literacy education works, I would resurvey the new students entering the University of South Carolina who have been able to take these American Government and Introductory Political courses or have listened and participated in my programming, seminars or newsletters; the same questions to see if their civil literacy has increased. I would find myself successful if I could evoke positive literacy growth in a few individuals or just simply spread awareness of this national issue. If I could implement successful civil literacy education for small groups and use that success to promote and continue education of civil literacy on larger fronts. I would hope to learn in what areas are Americans the weakest? What is the root cause for this weakness, and what is the best way to combat it? From this, I would use the information I gained along with the failures and success as I grow in my political journey as a lawyer, and one day future politician​.