Wednesday September 21


, 12 - 1 pm: Civic literacy

According to a recent report from the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools: Only a third of Americans can name the three branches of government. Almost three years into President Barack Obama's term, nearly one in three Americans mistakenly believe he is Muslim. A similar percentage believed that President George W. Bush was complicit in the 9/11 terrorist plot. And Jay Leno regularly gets laughs with his "Jay Walking" routine, which highlights examples of civic ignorance. Civic learning has reached a new low in the U.S. and productive public discourse has been replaced by divisive rhetoric and a disregard for facts. This hour, recommendations for parents, schools and policymakers to reverse this troubling trend and invigorate civic education. With Les Francis, former DNC executive director, a former White House deputy chief of staff, and noted expert on civic education issues; and Ted McConnell, executive director of the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools.