How Do We Restore Civics/History Education?

I often bemoan the sad state of knowledge of history and the structure of the government in this country - a state of affairs that plays directly into the hands of demagogues of the Christian Right, the so-called Tea Party, and of course the Republican Party. A piece in the Daily Beast laments that less than half of the American public can name a single Supreme Court justice, yet more than 80 percent of Americans know Michael Jackson sang “Beat It” and “Billie Jean.” And that's but one example of the idiocy that is all too pervasive. How can one make even a remotely informed vote when they don't know how the system is supposed to work, who people are, and where places are in the world? Yet, that is what the USA is faced with. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is working with the U. S. Department of Education in the hope of addressing the problem. Here are some highlights of why O'Connor believes we need to retool our education system:
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As families gather to celebrate Independence Day, it is time to rethink the notion that civics instruction is less than vital in the global economy of the 21st century. . . . . we believe it is a great mistake to push civics to the sideline in schools. From the dramatic uprisings for democracy in the Mideast to the tragic shootings in Tucson at a Congress on Your Corner event, Americans have been reminded once again that freedom matters—and that informed citizens are the lifeblood of democracy.
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Unfortunately, a staggering number of Americans today know dismayingly little about the basic history and traditions of our democracy. . . . . Nationwide, more than a third of all high school seniors today lack even basic civics knowledge and skills. High school seniors that score below the basic level cannot, for example, describe the structure and functions of American government or identify an activity that is a part of civic life.
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Not surprisingly, civic ignorance has current consequences. In February, a Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that nearly half of the public was either unsure if the health-care law was still the law of the land or mistakenly believed it had been repealed.
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A number of organizations are leading the way to producing the next generation of civics instruction. iCivics, founded by Justice O’Connor, offers web-based education projects and an array of interactive games and activities that students can use in class or at home.
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While civics education needs to be reinvigorated and updated, its mission remains largely unchanged. The founders, from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, understood that informed citizens were a bulwark against tyranny and vital to a functioning democracy. When the founding fathers exited Independence Hall after drafting the Constitution, a woman asked Benjamin Franklin, “What have we got—a republic or a monarchy?” “A republic,” Franklin replied, “if you can keep it.”
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When done well, civics education in fact equips students with the very skills they need to succeed in the 21st century—the ability to communicate effectively, to work collectively, to hone critical questions, and to appreciate diversity. . . . a world-class education requires a well-rounded curriculum. Civics learning is essential to ensuring that future generations will keep our republic and nourish the freedoms to help America move forward. In 2011, a strong foundation in civics is not a luxury but a necessity.