The National Civility Education Act A Proposal to Mandate Comprehensive Civility, Empathy, and Critical Thinking Education in All U.S. K-12 Public Schools Presented to the President of the United States, the Congress of the United States, and the Secretary of Education Introduction and Urgent Rationale Mr. President, Members of Congress, Secretary McMahon: America’s children are facing a deepening crisis of incivility, polarization, empathy deficits, and violence that endangers school safety, mental health, and the future of our republic. Data from recent years highlight the severity: public schools experienced over 850,000 violent incidents in the 2021–22 school year, with bullying affecting approximately 1 in 5 students and contributing to widespread anxiety, isolation, and diminished academic performance. Gun-related incidents on K-12 campuses—hundreds documented in recent years—frequently stem from unresolved conflicts, unchecked aggression, social media misinformation, and poorly learned behaviors that normalize disrespect, retaliation, and violence as ways to settle disputes. Too many young people grow up viewing aggression or firearms as acceptable responses to disagreements, perpetuating harmful cycles. These challenges arise not only from external influences but from educational gaps in core skills: empathy, respectful interaction, and—fundamentally—critical thinking to evaluate information, challenge biases, consider multiple perspectives, and make reasoned decisions. To address these root causes and heal societal divisions, we must draw on America’s foundational heritage while incorporating modern, evidence-based approaches. We propose beginning with George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation—the 110 maxims Washington copied as a young man in the 1740s, drawn from French Jesuit principles of 1595. These enduring guidelines promote respect, self-restraint, courteous conduct, and treating others with dignity—principles that helped shape one of our nation’s greatest leaders and remain vital for fostering civil society today. Complementing this is critical thinking: the disciplined process of analyzing information objectively, identifying biases, evaluating evidence, reasoning logically, and forming well-supported judgments. Educators across the country prioritize it as a cornerstone of civic education, enabling students to navigate misinformation, engage in informed debate, and resolve conflicts through reason rather than emotion or impulse. When paired with civility and empathy, critical thinking builds resilient, thoughtful citizens who bridge divides and strengthen democratic institutions. Proposed Legislation: The National Civility Education Act We respectfully call for the introduction and passage of the National Civility Education Act, to be administered by the U.S. Department of Education under the leadership of the Secretary of Education. This Act would establish federal incentives, grants, and supportive frameworks (while fully preserving state and local control over curriculum, as required by law) to integrate mandatory civility, empathy, and critical thinking education into all K-12 public schools nationwide. Key Provisions 1.  Mandatory Integration into Curricula  •  Require civility, empathy, and critical thinking as foundational components of K-12 instruction, starting in beginner classes (kindergarten and early elementary) and building progressively through high school.  •  Begin foundational lessons with George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation, using age-appropriate adaptations to instill respect, self-control, active listening, and courteous behavior.  •  Integrate these elements across core subjects (e.g., social studies, English/language arts, health education) for seamless reinforcement without adding undue burden.  •  Explicitly connect civility/empathy to critical thinking: e.g., applying Washington’s Rules to scenario analysis (“Evaluate evidence for why restraining anger preserves relationships” or “Assess diverse perspectives in a conflict to reach empathetic, reasoned solutions”). 2.  Curriculum Development and Resources  •  Direct the Secretary of Education, through the U.S. Department of Education, to collaborate with educators, subject-matter experts, and innovative partners (including AI for interactive, personalized simulations) to develop voluntary, evidence-based model resources and guidelines.  •  Emphasize practical, measurable skills: de-escalation, perspective-taking, bystander intervention against bullying, civil discourse, bias detection, source evaluation, logical reasoning, and defending positions with evidence.  •  Include inquiry-based activities such as moderated debates on historical/current events, role-playing empathy-informed resolutions, and exercises distinguishing facts from opinions/misinformation—promoting reasoned empathy over reactive division. 3.  Phased Implementation and Funding  •  Phase 1 (6–12 months): Under the Secretary’s direction, develop national guidelines, launch pilots in diverse districts (prioritizing Title I schools), and provide teacher training on integrating these elements. Conduct baseline assessments of school climate, bullying rates, empathy levels, and critical thinking proficiency.  •  Phase 2 (Years 1–2): Scale through expanded professional development, resource distribution, and awareness campaigns in partnership with organizations like the National Education Association, Parent Teacher Association, and state education agencies.  •  Phase 3 (Ongoing): Perform longitudinal evaluations (aiming for 20%+ reductions in bullying/violence incidents, improved empathy scores, and gains in critical thinking via rubrics or assessments); refine based on data; and institutionalize through amendments to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), particularly Title IV (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants).  •  Funding: Approximately $750,000–$1 million in initial federal support (via ESSA reallocations, public-private partnerships, and discretionary grants led by the Secretary), ensuring equity, low local burden, and alignment with state priorities. 4.  Accountability and Support  •  Provide flexible federal grants for implementation, maintaining core standards while allowing local adaptation.  •  Promote equity: Target underserved communities; include anti-bias training; address technology access barriers.  •  Require the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress on outcomes, including reductions in violence/bullying, improvements in empathy/civility, and critical thinking proficiency—ensuring transparency and adherence to state/local authority. Expected Benefits and Long-Term Impact •  Short-term: Safer, more respectful classrooms; reduced bullying and disruptions (character-focused programs have demonstrated improvements in collaboration, reflection, and critical thinking); enhanced mental health indicators. •  Long-term: A generation of empathetic, critically minded citizens equipped to combat misinformation, engage civically, resolve conflicts peacefully, and unite rather than divide. By fostering reason-informed empathy, the Act addresses root causes of aggression and polarization, strengthens national resilience, and revives founding principles for a modern era. This legislation offers proactive, prevention-focused leadership: investing in character, intellect, and unity to heal profound societal wounds. It honors Washington’s legacy while empowering states and communities through supportive federal resources. Suggestions—Pilot Program Approach:  Civility Education Initiative – Proposed Curriculum and Implementation Approach To foster lasting improvements in student civility, behavior, and interpersonal skills, we recommend launching voluntary K-5 pilot programs in select schools. This phased, evidence-informed start draws from meta-analyses of social-emotional learning (SEL) interventions, which consistently show meaningful gains—often in the range of improved behavior and reduced conduct problems (with related academic and social benefits translating to notable percentile improvements in student outcomes). Key curriculum and rollout suggestions: •  Voluntary pilots as the entry point: Begin with opt-in participation at the K-5 level in interested districts/schools. This allows collection of robust, localized data on effectiveness before broader scaling, mirroring successful SEL models that demonstrate 15-30% average reductions in challenging behaviors (and related gains in positive social interactions) when implemented well. •  Built-in safeguards for trust and neutrality:  •  Include clear parent opt-out provisions to respect family preferences and values.  •  Establish teacher review panels to evaluate and adapt materials for ideological neutrality, cultural relevance, and age-appropriateness, ensuring broad acceptability. •  Structured, progressive curriculum sequence (5 chapters/modules):  1.  Daily rules and practice — Foundational habits through consistent, low-stakes reinforcement (Chapter 1).  2.  Historical examples — Real-world context from diverse eras and figures to illustrate civility in action (Chapter 2).  3.  Modern and digital applications — Age-appropriate scenarios covering online interactions, social media, and everyday conflicts (Chapter 3). 4-5. Leadership projects — Student-led application, such as peer mentoring, school-wide initiatives, or community service tied to civility principles (Chapters 4-5). •  Integration of supportive tools:  •  Leverage AI-powered resources for generating personalized, age-tailored practice scenarios (e.g., interactive prompts adjusted to grade level and context).  •  Collect anonymous metrics (e.g., via surveys or observational tools) to track progress without identifying individuals, supporting continuous improvement and demonstrating impact. •  Dedicated support to prevent overload:  •  Secure specific training funds and resources (separate from general budgets) for teacher professional development, materials, and implementation coaching.  •  This ensures high-fidelity delivery without adding undue burden to existing workloads. This voluntary, pilot-first model—combined with strong safeguards, sequenced learning, modern tech integration, and protected funding—positions the Civility Education program for sustainable adoption. It prioritizes evidence, choice, and collaboration over top-down requirements, increasing the likelihood of enthusiastic participation and positive long-term outcomes. Call to Action Mr. President, Members of Congress, and Secretary McMahon: Enact the National Civility Education Act. Empower the Secretary of Education to lead federal incentives and partnerships for civility, empathy, and critical thinking education—anchored in George Washington’s enduring Rules—while fully respecting state and local control. Ensure every American child gains the tools for respect, reason, and a more united future. We stand ready to support refinement, advocacy, and implementation. Respectfully submitted, On behalf of concerned citizens, educators, and advocates for a more civil, thoughtful, and resilient America.

 Most Sincere,

                    Britt Moore