The federal government has overstepped its bounds with recommendations for teaching American history and civics in public schools, the New Civil Liberties Alliance maintains. In a comment letter filed with the U.S. Department of Education, the alliance contends “Proposed Priorities — American History and Civics Education” is an “impermissible response” to a concern that race-related topics do not get enough coverage in history classes. “The Department of Education (ED) lacks the statutory authority to promulgate the …