Civics Education Focus Of Capley, Taylor Proposed Legislation

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –

The Tennessee Civics Education Act, if passed, will require all first-time applicants for a teaching license in Tennessee to pass the same test that immigrants must pass to gain citizenship.

Teachers with an existing teaching license will not be impacted.

The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) already requires high school seniors to take a test based on the one administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

In fact, the text of HB1658 / SB1709 states in part, “Prepare a United States civics test composed of one hundred (100) questions collected from the questions that are set forth within the civics test administered by the United States citizenship and immigration services to persons seeking to become naturalized citizens;”

New applicants for a “practitioner teacher license or practitioner occupational teacher license” would be required to pass the test with a score of 70% as a condition of licensure just like high school students are required to do as a condition of high school graduation.

A growing number of people in Tennessee are concerned that more emphasis should be placed on civics education, especially instruction on the U.S. Constitution.

This concern is not isolated to the Volunteer State. As far back as 2011, the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, speaking to the Senate Judiciary Committee, commented that we [American Education System] “are not teaching [the constitution] very well.”

A link to the Scalia testimony is linked here.

His powerful commentary explained the structure of our government and what makes the United States Constitution exceptional in protecting the rights of individual citizens, information that he believes is vital for our students to understand.

The sponsors express the same in their respective bills.

The preamble to the bill states “WHEREAS, knowledge of our government and its structure, history, and founding principles are paramount to a functioning society and civically engaged electorate; and WHEREAS, the education system in Tennessee must be well suited to prepare our citizens to understand their constitutional rights, their role in government, and the importance of civic engagement; and WHEREAS, the need is great to ensure that teachers are well versed in civics and understand the importance of teaching the same;”

Several of our founders reflected the same, including a statement by Jefferson. “A well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.” – Thomas Jefferson

Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown) is the prime sponsor of HB 1658. Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) is the prime senate sponsor of SB 1709. As of the date of publication, Senator Jessie Seal (R-New Tazewell) is a senate co-sponsor.

The bill is currently assigned to the House Education Administration Subcommittee.

About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.