JEFFERSON CITY — The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee heard two bills Wednesday aimed at creating more resources for teaching civic education in public schools.
House Bill 3483 and 3532, sponsored by Reps. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, and Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson, would create educational resources, including explanatory videos, to help public schools teach students how the Missouri legislative process works.
"We all know Schoolhouse Rock, we can sing that song. We still know that song, but it's so different when you serve up here," Rep. Cathy Jo Loy, R-Carthage, said, supporting the bill. "Just those little details ... we voted (a bill) out of the House, but the Senate didn't vote it out, and students don't know those stop-starts."
Loy said a simple video explaining the various legislative processes could be beneficial for students throughout the state..
Three third-grade students — Liam, Edgar and Frankie — from West Boulevard Elementary School in Columbia joined their teacher, Ann Alofs, in support of the bill.
"This year, we are learning about the Missouri government," Edgar said. "It is important for kids to learn about government because they should be informed about how it works in order to vote and to know their rights."
Alofs, who has been an educator for nearly 32 years, supports the bill and other educators, saying "all educators benefit from resources."
"With this bill, you can be part of putting materials into the hands of public schools, which are all over Missouri," Alofs said.
Joy Bess, a K-12 social studies curriculum coordinator for Columbia Public Schools, said third grade through high school students could benefit from civic education videos.
"This video is specifically outlining the legislative process and how complicated it can be," Bess said. "We don't really talk about the committee work that often happens ... So, creating a video like this, I think, would be extremely helpful."