Civic educationFrom American Governance
Civic education (or civics education) is generally understood to mean the preparation of citizens or prospective citizens to become knowledgeable, competent, and responsible participants in their political society. Civic education usually refers to the learning and experiences that take place within the context of formal schooling. Whereas many institutions such as the media, government, the family, and civil society organizations contribute to a citizen's “informal” civic education, K–12 schools are uniquely positioned to foster civic learning. Of all of these institutions, the schools provide the most systematic introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that democratic citizens ideally possess.