COMMENTARY: American Freedom curriculum

By Judge Michael Warren Recently buried in the news was the decline of social studies scores in Michigan high schools. In particular, just 40.5 percent of Michigan high school juniors tested on the Michigan Merit Examination were considered proficient in social studies, a decline from 41.2 percent in the prior year. Stated another way, nearly 60 percent of Michigan high school juniors are not proficient in social studies. Worse, 88% of African American students fell below the proficient standard. Although there were some small gains in other subjects, overall 82 percent failed to meet proficiency standards in career and college benchmarks in all subject areas (reading, writing, math, and science). As a free republic whose very survival depends on an informed citizenry, this foretells disaster. Ever since President Reagan's groundbreaking study, A Nation at Risk, was released in 1983, we have struggled with improving academic scores in core subjects. Perhaps there was a time when a small elite could carry the load for the entire nation, but in an era of global competition in which billions of Chinese, Indians, and others are competing against us, we are fools to think we can continue to thrive when we fail so many of our own students. Moreover, our key competitive advantage--freedom--is in peril as we increasingly forget what it means to be an American. The Michigan Merit Examination tests whether our students are well grounded in our history and civics to meaningfully and knowledgeably participate in our government. When nearly 60 percent of our graduates are unable to fulfill those expectations, we are undermining our ability to survive as a free people. We would do well to remember that unlike any other nation, we have been founded on our founding First Principles--the rule of law, equality, the Social Compact, unalienable rights, limited government, and revolution. To be responsible decision makers in our system, we must be educated about our Constitution and its underlying First Principles. Instead, we have lost yet another generation of students to mediocrity and mendacity. Is it any wonder that our politics has degenerated into a poisonous and corrosive environment where money and sound bites dominate? The dysfunctionality of our political class is perhaps most evident in its damning omissions--in the failure of politicians to even acknowledge our founding First Principles during the policy debates of the day. To stay the course is simply to ensure more of the same. Abraham Lincoln declared that: "If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide." He is right, and we are preparing our own hemlock. But all is not lost. Michigan should lead the nation in renewing the American spirit by permanently recognizing Patriot Week and by establishing an American Freedom curriculum. Started in Michigan by my then 10-year-old daughter and me in 2009, Patriot Week is celebrated September 11-September 17 (the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution), and renews America's spirit by celebrating our First Principles, Founding Fathers and other great patriots, key documents and speeches, and historical flags. This grassroots effort--celebrated by adults and children--has caught on like wildfire not only across Michigan but in several states. Schools, businesses, rotaries, senior centers, community groups, libraries, bar associations, and others have joined the effort. Bills passed in both chambers of the Michigan Legislature are pending to permanently recognize the week. The time for legislative laxity has passed--the bills ought to be passed now. Patriot Week should be complimented with an American Freedom curriculum which should have specific expectations for students in each grade. Focusing on the First Principles, the curriculum should comprehensively address civics and American history. Annual testing, individualized learning, and Patriot Week should all be key components of the curriculum. Patriot Week, combined with a robust American Freedom curriculum, would make Michigan the leading State in renewing the American spirit for generations to come. ---------------- Michael Warren is an Oakland County Circuit Court Judge, co-creator of Patriot Week (PatriotWeek.org), author of "America's Survival Guide," and a former member of the State Board of Education. Published: Fri, Jul 20, 2012