Much of the speech and the roadmap are commendable. Here’s what’s missing: an emphasis on the foundation – including basic freedoms and civic education – of our democratic republic.

Being truly educated means understanding one of the most powerful forces in the world: religion. Being a truly educated American means understanding the importance of protecting that force: freedom of religion.

The year 2021 has started fast and furious in the political space. Rioting at the U.S. Capitol and the banning of our president from certain big tech platforms like Facebook and Twitter have continued the national discussion about speech and ideas.

Ensuring that Utah civics education is adequate will take a statewide commitment from more than just the Legislature (and it’s usually better when it comes from more local decisionmakers), and it will demand that we avoid simplistic solutions about teachers or schools simply needing to “do better.”

It is our republic – if we can keep it.

In a year with nearly $2 billion in new taxpayer dollars to potentially spend, prudent fiscal stewardship via avoiding excess is no simple task.

There are reasons for optimism and hope despite disturbing violence coming out of Washington, D.C. this week. Our democracy is not about to crumble; we have seen such events before and not only survived them but thrived afterward. And we can do so again today.

Two state policies, a new grassroots education development and a Supreme Court case from the last year offer reasons for hope and optimism moving forward.

As a culture war continues to heat up around subjects like American history and civics, it seems obvious that parents – not policymakers – ought to make the final call about their student’s education.

During this first full week of 2021, many feel relieved that 2020 is behind us: We’ve concluded a tumultuous year of pandemic lockdowns, economic hardship and election controversy. Beyond that relief, however, it is critical that we ask ourselves how to make 2021 (and beyond) better.