Question

read the passage from
ot by math alone\ by sandra day oconnor and roy romer. a healthy democracy depends on the participation of citizens, and that participation is learned behavior, it doesnt just happen. as the 2003 report \the civic mission of schools\ noted: \individuals do not automatically become free and responsible citizens, but must be educated for citizenship.\ that means civic learning—educating students for democracy—needs to be on par with other academic subjects. this is not a new idea. our first public schools saw education for citizenship as a core part of their mission. eighty years ago, john dewey said, \democracy needs to be reborn in every generation and education is its midwife.\ what message do the writers want to convey in this passage? the responsibility of schools is to focus on teaching academic subjects, not civic learning. public schools no longer see it as their mission to educate students for civic participation. democracy is fragile and
eeds to be reborn in every generation\ through education. civic education is essential for a functioning democracy, as citizenship is not automatic but learned.

Explanation:

The passage emphasizes that citizenship is not automatic but learned, and civic learning (education for democracy) is crucial for a healthy democracy as citizens need to be educated for participation. It also references historical views on the importance of education in maintaining democracy.

Answer:

Civic education is essential for a functioning democracy, as citizenship is not automatic but learned.