Question: Which cities and states have Civics taught in K-6th?

[BigmanPigman]

I taught in CA for over 15 years and Civics was NEVER in the state curriculum. I snuck it in whenever the administration wasn't spying on teachers for not teaching Reading and Writing during the scheduled 90% of the day. I wrote to the state several times and never got any replies.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. My recollection from the Pleistocene Era, when I was in school,

was that the subject first turned up in junior high, not in elementary school.

[cyclonefence]

2. In WV back in the 50s and 60s

civics was taught in junior high school as a required course; in high school there was an elective called Problems of Democracy. We had American History but no course on government in elementary school.

[elleng]

3. Jr. High and high school in New York

MANY years ago.

[MedusaX]

4. In my experience as an educator, administrator, and parent of 3 in Texas, "civics" is addressed in a

variety of ways K-12. However, there is no course specifically named "Civics".

K-6 TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) for Social Studies provides this info. {below} as an overview of the areas covered...
followed by specific knowledge and skills to be introduced &/or mastered at each grade level:

>Snip<
(a) Introduction.

(1) In Kindergarten, the study of the self, home, family, and classroom establishes the foundation for responsible citizenship in society.
Students explore state and national heritage by examining the celebration of patriotic holidays and the contributions of individuals.
The concept of chronology is introduced. Students apply geographic concepts of location and physical and human characteristics of place. Students identify basic human needs and ways people meet these needs.
Students learn the purpose of rules and the role of authority figures in the home and school.
Students learn customs, symbols, and celebrations that represent American beliefs and principles and contribute to our national identity.
Students compare family customs and traditions and describe examples of technology in the home and school.
Students acquire information from a variety of oral and visual sources.
Students practice problem-solving, decision-making, and independent-thinking skills.

(2) To support the teaching of the essential knowledge and skills, the use of a variety of rich material is encouraged.
Motivating resources are available from museums, historical sites, presidential libraries, and local and state preservation societies.

(3) The eight strands of the essential knowledge and skills for social studies are intended to be integrated for instructional purposes. Skills listed in the social studies skills strand in subsection (b) of this section should be incorporated into the teaching of all essential knowledge and skills for social studies.
A greater depth of understanding of complex content material can be attained when integrated social studies content from the various disciplines and critical-thinking skills are taught together. Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.

(4) Students identify the role of the U.S. free enterprise system within the parameters of this course and understand that this system may also be referenced as capitalism or the free market system.

(5) Throughout social studies in Kindergarten-Grade 12, students build a foundation in history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills.
The content, as appropriate for the grade level or course, enables students to understand the importance of patriotism, function in a free enterprise society, and appreciate the basic democratic values of our state and nation as referenced in the Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.002(h).

(6) Students understand that a constitutional republic is a representative form of government whose representatives derive their authority from the consent of the governed, serve for an established tenure, and are sworn to uphold the constitution.

(7) Students must demonstrate learning performance related to any federal and state mandates regarding classroom instruction.
Although Kindergarten is not required to participate in Celebrate Freedom Week, according to the TEC, §29.907, primary grades lay the foundation for subsequent learning.
As a result, Kindergarten Texas essential knowledge and skills include standards related to this patriotic observance.

(8) Students identify and discuss how the actions of U.S. citizens and the local, state, and federal governments have either met or failed to meet the ideals espoused in the founding documents.

>snip<
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter113/ch113a.html

In grades 6-8, each school year has a unique instructional focus for the study of historical issues related to government and politics {Texas; U.S.; and World}.

In grades 9-11, students continue to study the political and governance aspects of historical events which have taken place in the U.S. and throughout the world. There are two courses required, during the 12th grade year, which focus on current politics, electoral processes, voter requirements, {including in-class opportunities for the students to register to vote once 18} as well as the relationship between government/ politics and economics at all levels, global - personal.

In addition, public universities in Texas require each student to take multiple courses in U.S./Texas history and politics.

[Golden Raisin]

5. In the early 1960s we had Civics in Junior High.

We had a remarkable teacher who went on to a successful career in politics as a State Assemblyman. In Senior High he taught a course entitled "American Government" which included a trip to Washington, D.C. Traditional Civics courses raised the intelligence quotient of the electorate as those students became voting adults. They had a basic understanding of how our Government is supposed to work. More importantly, you have to know your Constitution (and Declaration) to realize when your rights are being abrogated or taken away outright. I personally believe the absence of traditional Civics courses today is not an accident.