It takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to operate the village.
That's especially true in the United States, where the health of our representative democracy depends on a citizenship that not only knows how the system works but takes part in that system.
Unfortunately, too many Americans fit neither category. School tests and public surveys show many of us have no clue how our government works. And results from elections and public forums demonstrate the apathy of the general public.
The level of civic literacy and civic engagement in our society is appalling, and much of the blame can be put on a lack of emphasis on civics education.
Nationwide, educators, activists, elected officials and others alarmed by this situation are starting to do something about it. In Kentucky, that movement is especially fervent. Northern Kentuckians are actively involved.
State Sen. Jack Westwood of Crescent Springs has been an active advocate since he attended the first Congressional Conference for Civic Education in 2003. Secretary of State Trey Grayson of Boone County made civic literacy a priority of his campaign two years ago. And Northern Kentucky University hosts the Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement.
This week the region also hosted a second statewide summit that will eventually produce a strategy of action for the next few years.
The ideas discussed were abundant:
Creating a clearinghouse for teachers that includes lesson plans and tips on meeting academic standards, as well as providing more training on teaching civics.
Making civics classes mandatory, and putting more emphasis on civics on accountability tests.
Involving community groups and leadership development initiatives in the effort.
Making Kids Voting statewide.
Creating a civics component in freshmen orientation programs and classes.
Beginning civics education at an earlier age.
Summit organizers - which include Grayson's office as well as state education and courts officials - will write a report based on the summit in time for the January 2005 legislative session. We urge the legislature to pay attention.
Only part of the strategy will require legislation, but the effort will require money. It deserves some. It also deserves serious consideration to changing how we educate our children to put more focus on raising good citizens.
Civics is much more than just knowing how a bill becomes law, or how the amend the Constitution. It's the foundation of our society.
Civic engagement encompasses everything from voting to jury duty to campaigning for social causes to financing political parties to volunteering to writing letters to the editor. And none of us can do these things intelligently unless we know a little bit about how the process works.
We hope the effort to improve our knowledge of how our society works - and how to participate in it - gains momentum. The future of our country depends on it.