Democracy Demands Wisdom: RICH's K-12 Civics Initiative Needs Your Support

According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, less than one-third of our students were proficient in their knowledge of civics. You can help improve this.

Click here to support civics education for our youth.

The future of our democracy is in the hands of our young people. Today's students are the leaders of tomorrow: They will bring their vision to the classrooms, boardrooms, and decision-making tables here in Rhode Island and beyond.  

Will they be ready?

According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (2006), less than one-third of our students were proficient in their knowledge of civics. For the nearly 200,000 students in Rhode Island, this means a dwindling knowledge of history, a diminished sense of place and belonging, and a lack of understanding about how to engage with the ideas and the processes upon which our democracy is built. 

You can help our young people to participate more fully in civic life. We invite you to help us raise more than $100,000 for our Democracy Demands Wisdom initiative-a multi-faceted project that will enable our teachers and schools to strengthen civic education and enhance the learning experience of our students. Here are examples of what your gift will do:

• ~Middle school social studies teachers can develop lesson plans on the history, use, and science of the Narragansett Bay, and students can explore how to safeguard the Bay for the future with your gift of $2,000.
• ~Students can experience firsthand Rhode Island's many rich historical sites and learn about the events and people that shaped our state with your gift of $1,000.
• ~A whole community can come together to share the stories of their origins in Rhode Island and document them through photos and oral histories with your gift of $500.
• ~A group of students can walk through exhibits that demonstrate what working conditions were like in Rhode Island factories for your gift of $250.

"Democracy demands wisdom." This statement remains as true today as it was in 1965, in the founding legislation of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Our democracy demands study, contemplation, informed dialogue, and wise decision-making.

You can support the thoughtful civic participation of our young people by making a contribution today. Thank you!

Click here to support civics education for our youth.