LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Bill in Oregon Legislature aims to improve civics education
(Courtesy/Sue Luft)
The Oregon Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that concerns an area where politics and education meet.
THE ISSUE: Americans’ basic understanding of how their government has declined in recent years.
THE BILL: Senate Bill 513
WHAT IT DOES: Requires every Oregon high school student to receive one semester of civics education before they graduate.
WHY IT WAS PROPOSED: The amount of civics education Oregon students receive is uneven across the state and depends on which district they attend classes in.
HOW THE MARION/POLK DELEGATION VOTED:
Sen. Brian Boquist, I-Dallas: No
Sen. Peter Courtney, D-Salem: Yes
Sen. Fred Girod, R-Lyons: Yes
Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem: Yes
Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer: Excused
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: The bill will be considered by the House, where state Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, is a strong proponent of it.
-Jake Thomas
