How do you picture a typical high school government class? Is it 30 students at their desks, participating in discussions about the election, or being lectured on the three branches of government? Maybe rethink that. Instead, picture a student sitting at home alone, not paying attention to the videos playing in the background, trying to speed through the class to get the credit needed to graduate. In recent years, many high school students have opted to take online courses instead of regular ones. However, with this decision comes the risk of not retaining the necessary information taught by these courses. The American Government course is a high school requirement for a reason, and students need to stop taking it online to solve the issue of decreased political literacy among the American population and its youth.
According to the Redwood course guide, “American Government is designed to help students learn to become informed, participating citizens of the [United States]. Students are introduced to the study of law and government through direct and simulated experiences in decision-making. Students are asked to explore their own political positions.”
While the traditional American Government class covers all the key points needed to create a successful American citizen, the recent trend of online courses has affected the overall political literacy of students and new adults. According to the Hechinger Report, in the fall of 2022, 54 percent of students took one or more courses online. As more students choose to turn to online learning, there seems to be a further decline in the understanding of basic political and civic knowledge due to a lack of structure and discipline in online courses. In a study from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, it was found that “more than 70 percent of Americans fail a basic civic literacy quiz on topics like the three branches of government, the number of Supreme Court justices and other basic functions of our democracy.”
Along with the teaching of different types of government, their structure and functions, students also learn how to find accurate information surrounding political issues in an in-person government class. According to a University of California, Riverside article, “[American Government and Civics] also covers how community members can participate in democracy by voting, raising awareness about important issues, communicating with elected and appointed officials, attending public meetings and hearings and working with community-based organizations.” As many high school seniors become eligible to vote, it is even more crucial to stay informed about political issues and foster discussions that prepare students for tough political conversations. However, in a 2024 October Bark Survey, 38 percent of students reported being uncomfortable talking about their political views or politics in general. There are many reasons for this uneasiness, such as not knowing enough about the topic to be confident or fear of having an alternate perspective from someone else. Taking an in-person American Government course is vital to not only gain knowledge but also to gain confidence in engaging in difficult discussions further creating a more informed citizen who is unafraid to voice their opinions.
Many believe that online learning may allow for more flexibility in students’ schedules especially when American Government is not paired with another one-semester course. While online courses may be more convenient for some students, in-person classes provide more opportunities to absorb the information being taught. Especially regarding important topics such as government and civics, it is essential for students to take advantage of the traditional classroom in order to listen to different views and gain knowledge that will be useful to them later in life or as they vote in the upcoming election.
As the trend of taking online classes continues to rise, it is vital that high school students consider and weigh their options regarding the traditional American Government class. Students may find that they actually enjoy the content and apply it to their current and future lives. As American citizens, it is our responsibility to be politically literate and understand what our position in democracy is.
