Our lives are marked by rhythms. Some involve phases of life, whether childhood, young adulthood, middle age, or older years. Some (related) rhythms include circumstances such as particular jobs, marriage, and children. Others are annual, recurring within a particular year. Holidays and seasons fall into this category.
Another annual rhythm for many of us is the beginning of school. In the past and coming few weeks, teachers and students return for another academic year, both at the K-12 and university levels. This time asks those of us involved in education to reflect anew on the daunting and important task before us.
I teach political science at the university level. We face a crisis in education today, especially regarding citizenship. Too many Americans do not know all three branches of our national government or more than a couple of rights secured in the first eight…
