Now, more than ever, America must cultivate our nation’s future. As a parent of three, a military veteran and the Chairman of the Texas State Board of Education, I’ve seen firsthand how our nation’s resilience depends on the education and character of its citizens. Our schools are not solely institutions for academic knowledge; they are the bedrock of our democratic republic.

Yet, troubling trends suggest we are failing to equip our children with the civic understanding and critical thinking skills needed to lead our nation into a brighter future. It is with this urgent need in mind, that Texas is on the verge of approving the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum, an initiative that places educational excellence, American values and civic literacy at the heart of our schools.

Recent data paints a dire picture for American children: Students are losing their grasp of basic American civic knowledge. The statistics are staggering, frightening and, frankly, un-American. Fewer than one in four U.S. eighth graders are proficient in civics, and only 13 percent of eighth graders are proficient in U.S. history. These statistics aren’t just numbers– they are a warning for the future of the American republic.  

According to the Heritage Foundation, “Civics education in America is in crisis, and Americans should recommit themselves to the teaching of civics in the classroom and at home.” Their recommendation to state policymakers is to provide parents and classroom teachers with better civics education. Their survey revealed that “two-thirds of parents and nearly three-quarters of teachers share a strong desire to see greater emphasis on civics education.” Additionally, “both parents and teachers agree that the most important function of civics in modern-day America is ‘practical information and guidance on how to carry out the duties of a citizen.”