DeSantis emphasizes putting American civics ‘front and center’ in schools

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced new awards aimed at putting American civics “back, front, and center” in the Florida school system to help students exercise the duties of being an American citizen.

“​​We probably wouldn’t be as divided as we are as a country if everybody had a solid foundation in American civics and understanding the key aspects of what it means to be an American. So we’re trying to remedy that, we’re trying to do something about it,” DeSantis said.

During a press conference Thursday, DeSantis said students can take certain courses and may never use them in life, but “everybody” is going to be “called upon” to exercise the duties of being an American citizen.

“In Florida, we think we have a responsibility to help graduate students out of our school system with a foundation of understanding what it means to be an American, a foundation of understanding, what are the principles that have made our country unique and made our country great,” DeSantis said.

In January, Florida launched a Civic Seal of Excellence endorsement for teachers, where educators are able to register and complete an online course and use the skills to teach students in their classrooms about being an American citizen.

Teachers who complete the course are eligible to receive a $3,000 bonus.

The governor announced Florida has had 4,500 teachers complete the Civic Seal of Excellence Course and have each earned the $3,000 bonus.

“I just want to thank Governor DeSantis for his leadership on this, and for Florida continuing to be number one in the nation, not just in education overall, in civics education,” Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. said.

During Thursday’s press conference, DeSantis presented seven Florida teachers who completed the Civic Seal of Excellence Course with $3,000 checks.

“Really, this program is the most significant education civics initiative in the country,” Diaz said.

The governor talked about Florida’s civics and debate initiatives for students, created in 2020.

DeSantis said in the 2021-2022 school year, 237 schools participated in the civics and debate initiative. This year, DeSantis’ administration’s goal is to have 400 schools participate.

“So it gives students the ability to have their assumptions challenged, it gives them the ability to be able to put ideas out there and defend them with logic. And we need a little bit more of that,” DeSantis said.

The governor mentioned other things Florida has been putting in place to give students a “frame of reference” to better “appreciate what we have here in America.”

Florida established a Civics Literacy Exam in 2021 to put students’ knowledge of civics to the test.

In May, the governor signed legislation proclaiming Nov. 7. as “Victims of Communism Day.” The law requires Florida high school students to learn about communist regimes and the “evils” perpetuated by those leaders.