Each year, CivxNow completes a comprehensive review of K–12 civic education policies at the state-level. Using state policy recommendations from the CivxNow State Policy Menu, our team surveys social studies specialists, CivxNow state coalition partners, and/or other educational professionals in each given state to verify the most up-to-date state policies.
This year, the 2026 scan was expanded to reflect the increasing presence and impact of AI and media literacy in classrooms. This information was verified by information literacy specialists in the state, as well as CivxNow partners News Literacy Project and Media Literacy Now. Media Literacy Now’s U.S. Media Literacy Policy & Impact Report (2026) also helped inform this state-level data.
The results culminate into the State Policy Map, where users can view results and the state of civic education in individual states. While the scan reflects civic education policies increasing and gaining greater momentum across states, it also reveals gaps and opportunities for policymakers and civic champions to address at the state level.
- The greatest increase in a policy area in this year’s scan came in the form of recognizing excellence in civics among students, educators, and/or schools/districts. With 7 additional states this year, 26 states now have such programs.
- Course time requirements for high school and middle school civics in states increased in this year’s policy scan.
- With legislation passed in Alaska and Mississippi implementing standalone civics courses, 40 states and DC now require high school students to complete course time in civics for graduation.
- The number of states requiring a middle school course through state statute increased to 6, with 48 states and DC reporting that their state includes civics in their middle school learning standards.
- Media and/or information literacy is included in the learning standards of 44 states and DC.
- Five states have an instructional mandate for media and/or information literacy.
- Additionally, two states include explicit mention of AI and algorithmic literacy in their learning standards or mandate.
- A civics assessment is now required in 31 states—an increase of 2 states from last year.
- Forty states and DC provide credit for students’ service learning. It’s important to note that it is generally left up to the district to implement service learning in schools. Few states report that every district offers credit for service learning.
- While the net number of states that appropriated funding for K–12 civic education through legislation remained the same (16), this reflected five new states passing legislation this previous session to appropriate funding, while five states with prior appropriations allowed that funding to sunset or otherwise did not renew it.
- Professional development for educators in civics is now offered in 46 states and DC. The CivxNow team is conducting further research to better understand how professional development is offered—whether directly from the state’s Department of Education or through a third-party partnership.
We encourage you to check out your state’s policy profile, assess your neighboring states’ profiles, and leverage this resource when advocating for civic learning at the local, state, or national level.
