PBCBA BAR BULLETINS pbcba_bulletin_november 2018 | Page 4

PRESIDENT’S M e s s a g e Are You Smarter Than a Middle Schooler? Gregory P. Huber 2018-19 PBCBA President After brushing up on my civics, I had an opportunity to talk to a local community group on the subject. Since I struggled with several of the questions on the U.S. Citizenship Test, I thought it would be fun to find out if I was the only one who wasn’t smarter than a middle schooler. The Benchmark materials have some of the U.S. Citizenship Test presented in a Bingo game format where the participants can team up and answer the questions to try and get Bingo. The community group I spoke with really enjoyed this activity and learned a lot more about our government and the courts. Civics is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a social science dealing with the rights and duties of citizens.” Civics literacy is important for providing the knowledge and skills needed to be productive citizens. Shockingly, according to a 2016 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center civics knowledge was significantly lacking with only 26 percent of Americans able to name all Andrew Kwan and Annette Boyd Pitts, three branches of government. the Executive Director of the Florida Law Related Education Association, As an attorney, I figured my civics recently presented a lunch and learn knowledge was above average but when at the PBCBA’s office on how to teach my daughter had civics education in civics to local community groups. If you middle school I’m embarrassed to say are interested in helping to increase I was not necessarily smarter than a the public’s civics literacy and missed middle schooler. Part of the curriculum this lunch and learn please reach out involved the U.S. Citizenship Test; to Mr. Kwan or another member of the thankfully I passed but not with flying LREC and they will be more than happy colors and my daughter made sure I to point you in the right direction. I’m knew she did better on the test than I confident if you do you will not only did. help to improve civics literacy in our community, you will have fun, learn The PBCBA’s Law Related Education a few things yourself and might even Committee which is currently lead become smarter than a middle schooler by Chair, Andrew Kwan, is tasked along the way. in part with increasing the public’s Again, please don’t hesitate to contact understanding of civics. Mr. Kwan me to let me know how I can be of and his committee speak to local service to you. Phone: [phone]; community groups to help increase E-mail: [email protected]. their knowledge and understanding of the government and the courts. Thank you, The LREC utilizes the Florida’s Bar’s Benchmarks: Raising the Bar on Civics Education materials to present this important information in a fun and entertaining way. PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 4 Purchase Your Discounted Movie Tickets Today! Contact Eva Gray at 561.687.2800 LEADING PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE 10% Discount for Bar Members