Mandatory public philosophy courses in high school?
The Washington Post’s “Answer Sheet” local schools blog has an interesting post on a Maryland school teacher who disciplined a student for not standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The teacher had her escorted by school police officers to the Assistant Principal’s office who demanded the girl apologize for “defiance.” Of course, nobody can require others to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The school district’s own code specifies as such: “You cannot be required to say a pledge, sing an anthem, or take part in patriotic exercises. No one will be permitted to intentionally embarrass you if you choose not to participate.” But the teacher and assistant principle, like, apparently, most Americans, do not clearly understand the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment.
A 2009 poll by the First Amendment Center found that only 55% of Americans could identify free speech as a freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment. Now a portion of the remaining 45% of the country might know that free speech is guaranteed by the Constitution, but not know that the First Amendment does so. But it raises an interesting question: should our schools teach more civics? Or, on the other hand, is there something problematic with aggressively promoting a set of ideals during an individual’s most formative years. Instead of American civics, should we encourage our children to think critically and creatively about government, politics and philosophy? Maybe a “public philosophy” course required in high schools? 
-Marc
Related posts:
- Public philosophy 4 kidz, continued
- The perils of philosophy in public
- Fish on the First, Continued
- School daze
- Public philosophy in the face of uncertainty
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[...] week, Marc asked whether there should be a mandatory “public philosophy” or “civics” course [...]