Web offers many civics lessons

George Nethercutt’s expressed mission (July 4) to make students more civically aware is commendable in intent, but raises some questions. Is the objective the same that has encumbered the effectiveness of our education system generally: testing and grading that produces winners and losers. Shouldn’t education for responsible citizenship be a shared, cooperative experience?

If Nethercutt is serious about giving students the truth about history, economics, foreign policy or environmental issues (which he should have included), he should expect the wrath of powerful interests that have no interest in an informed public.

There surely are other great teachers like Lewis and Clark High School’s John Hagney who, given the freedom, could guide students through community involvement and independent inquiry through websites that computer-savvy students could easily negotiate; like Center for Responsive Politics, Center for Public Integrity, Public Citizen, Project Vote Smart, Common Cause, Earth Justice and others that would inform them far better than the traditional civics texts. These resources just might give students some help in dealing with the awful mess their elders have made of their world.

Buell Hollister

Spokane