Should a new law be passed that would require public schoool to teach civics and character lessons?  Civics used to be taught in school.  In fact, civics and character education were some of the driving forces behind the creation of our public school system. But during the 60’s, critics worried that kids were being brainwashed into being “blind patriots.” With the race to the moon, attention shifted to math and science and civics education died out.  We think it needs to be brought back and so does Utah lawmaker LaVar Christensen who has introduced a bill to require every school in that state to teach, not only civics, but character education.  According to the US Dept. of Education, “Civics education is the study of rights and duties of citizenship and the functions and history of government. Character education covers the habits of thought and deed that help people live and work together.”