To the editor: High school graduation requirements in California include one semester of U.S. government and civics and one semester of economics. This has been the case for many years. (“Do you know the three branches of U.S. government? Many don’t, leading to push for civics,” Sept. 16)
When I taught these classes, I always started the course by telling the students that I didn't want any of them to be the butt of jokes on late-night TV interviews. So they had to memorize the basics. I also gave them whatever citizenship test was being administered at the time.
The problem is not that the requirements are not included in the curriculum, but that there is little accountability from students and teachers, so current events or philosophy often absorb class time.
Every teacher has heard the question, “Is this going to be on the test?” The answer should be yes.
Alexa Smith Maxwell, Los Angeles
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To the editor: In the mid-1960s, when I attended the University of Missouri at Columbia, freshmen were required to take a course on U.S. government. To me, this was superfluous, since the social studies class I taught in high school in Golden, Colorado (taught by a member of what we now call the Greatest Generation) gave me a solid grounding in the American system.
Much more valuable to me that first year at university was a class in recent European history, which covered the genesis of the two world wars.
On the first day of class, the professor informed the students that the Missouri Legislature was investigating him because he was a socialist and could taint teaching with his “un-American” views. He said that the students should consider dropping the class to take another elective. As far as I know, no one did.
I firmly believe that all citizens born in the United States should know the basic principles of the American system. They should at least be able to pass the test given to immigrants applying for citizenship.
Equally important is that they study other governments and philosophies to understand why—as I believe—Western democracies, whether parliamentary or American-style systems, are the best forms of government.
Santa Clarita Spaniel
