Let your voice be heard regarding a proposed required Civics Course - AB898
There is a bill in the assembly- PUBLIC HEARINGS scheduled 1/17/2-24:
In late 2023 a bill was introduced in the Wisconsin Senate that would require students to take a semester of civics to graduate from high school. A companion bill was also introduced in the Assembly (read the text here: AB 898). On Wednesday (1/17/24) a public hearing for the bill is scheduled in the Assembly Committee on Education.
How can I have my voice heard about this bill?
You can submit testimony that speaks to the importance of non-partisan civics education, and the need to invest in civic learning.
In preparing your comments, you are welcome and encouraged to draw on the following resources:
There are three ways that you can make your voice heard:
1)Testify in-person on Wednesday, January 17th at 9:30am: You will register to testify in person when you arrive at the hearing. If you have never testified at a public hearing see this six page so you know what to expect: How to testify at a public hearing (from the Legislative Council). The hearing will be held in the North Hearing Room (2nd Floor North).
2) Submit written comments to the committee before the hearing: If you are not able to attend, you may submit written comments to the Assembly Education Committee by emailing the clerk, Bob Delaporte <Bob.Delaporte@legis.wisconsin.gov>. The Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition asks that you please copy <wicivics@gmail.com> so we have a record. You can submit comments as an individual or on behalf of an organization that you represent. Be sure to request that your comments be distributed to the committee members, and included in the Legislative Council materials for the bill. (see this sample of testimony submitted on the recent bill as an example of the record created)
3) Contact members of the committee directly: If you live in the district of any of the representatives on the Education Committee (see list below) consider calling or emailing them directly as a constituent. The Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition encourages you to copy <wicivics@gmail.com> so they can track your contacts.
Representative Kitchens (Chair)
Representative Dittrich (Vice-Chair)
Representative Binsfeld
Representative Duchow
Representative Mursau
Representative Nedweski
Representative Penterman
Representative Rozar
Representative Wichgers
Representative Wittke
Representative Shelton
Representative Considine
Representative Myers
Representative Andraca
Representative Hong
Still not sure or have questions? Contact WCSS President Sarah Kopplin or one of your WCSS Board of Directors representatives or the WCLS Coordinator and Co-Chair Kate Ullman.
Sarah Kopplin
WCSS President
sarahkopplin@wcsswi.org
Kate Ullman
WCLC Coordinator and Co-Chair
wicivics@gmail.com
In late 2023 a bill was introduced in the Wisconsin Senate that would require students to take a semester of civics to graduate from high school. A companion bill was also introduced in the Assembly (read the text here: AB 898). On Wednesday (1/17/24) a public hearing for the bill is scheduled in the Assembly Committee on Education.
How can I have my voice heard about this bill?
You can submit testimony that speaks to the importance of non-partisan civics education, and the need to invest in civic learning.
In preparing your comments, you are welcome and encouraged to draw on the following resources:
- Summary of Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition discussion of AB898.
- Information and statistics to make the case for civic learning (thanks to CivXNow!)
- Your own personal experiences and expertise related to civic learning.
There are three ways that you can make your voice heard:
1)Testify in-person on Wednesday, January 17th at 9:30am: You will register to testify in person when you arrive at the hearing. If you have never testified at a public hearing see this six page so you know what to expect: How to testify at a public hearing (from the Legislative Council). The hearing will be held in the North Hearing Room (2nd Floor North).
2) Submit written comments to the committee before the hearing: If you are not able to attend, you may submit written comments to the Assembly Education Committee by emailing the clerk, Bob Delaporte <Bob.Delaporte@legis.wisconsin.gov>. The Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition asks that you please copy <wicivics@gmail.com> so we have a record. You can submit comments as an individual or on behalf of an organization that you represent. Be sure to request that your comments be distributed to the committee members, and included in the Legislative Council materials for the bill. (see this sample of testimony submitted on the recent bill as an example of the record created)
3) Contact members of the committee directly: If you live in the district of any of the representatives on the Education Committee (see list below) consider calling or emailing them directly as a constituent. The Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition encourages you to copy <wicivics@gmail.com> so they can track your contacts.
Representative Kitchens (Chair)
Representative Dittrich (Vice-Chair)
Representative Binsfeld
Representative Duchow
Representative Mursau
Representative Nedweski
Representative Penterman
Representative Rozar
Representative Wichgers
Representative Wittke
Representative Shelton
Representative Considine
Representative Myers
Representative Andraca
Representative Hong
Still not sure or have questions? Contact WCSS President Sarah Kopplin or one of your WCSS Board of Directors representatives or the WCLS Coordinator and Co-Chair Kate Ullman.
Sarah Kopplin
WCSS President
sarahkopplin@wcsswi.org
Kate Ullman
WCLC Coordinator and Co-Chair
wicivics@gmail.com
Position Statements
Racial Injustices
The Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies would like to share our condolences and concern about the unnecessary and tragic loss of Black lives in the United States. These events also force us to take time to reflect upon the treatment of marginalized people and the many lives lost due to race, religion, or sexual orientation and gender identity. We agree with the National Council for Social Studies that “these actions are against the civic values and practices we teach all students through social studies education.” WCSS believes we should be better and seek ways to work more effectively at offering opportunities to model inclusivity, empathy, justice, and equity. WCSS stands by our mission statement to promote “professional growth and development of educators which in turn will help young people develop the ability to make informed and responsible decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society.”
WCSS continues to believe that K-12 social studies education is more important today than ever before and we are committed to be intentional in our advocacy of social studies education in all schools and in all classrooms in Wisconsin. As we move forward, WCSS will review and revise our mission statement to ensure our dedication in promoting, supporting, and modeling anti-racist and culturally responsive education. We will work with experts in the field to help guide us as an organization so that we can support educators throughout Wisconsin and, in turn, help our young people to become responsible citizens in a culturally diverse and democratic society.
*Link to WCSS Mission Statement
The Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies would like to share our condolences and concern about the unnecessary and tragic loss of Black lives in the United States. These events also force us to take time to reflect upon the treatment of marginalized people and the many lives lost due to race, religion, or sexual orientation and gender identity. We agree with the National Council for Social Studies that “these actions are against the civic values and practices we teach all students through social studies education.” WCSS believes we should be better and seek ways to work more effectively at offering opportunities to model inclusivity, empathy, justice, and equity. WCSS stands by our mission statement to promote “professional growth and development of educators which in turn will help young people develop the ability to make informed and responsible decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society.”
WCSS continues to believe that K-12 social studies education is more important today than ever before and we are committed to be intentional in our advocacy of social studies education in all schools and in all classrooms in Wisconsin. As we move forward, WCSS will review and revise our mission statement to ensure our dedication in promoting, supporting, and modeling anti-racist and culturally responsive education. We will work with experts in the field to help guide us as an organization so that we can support educators throughout Wisconsin and, in turn, help our young people to become responsible citizens in a culturally diverse and democratic society.
*Link to WCSS Mission Statement