News From the Front Lines of Civic Education
Teacher Leaders at the Center of Civics Policy Push
Teachers are our most authentic, effective advocates for stronger K–12 civic learning, whether leading in the classroom or as policymakers. With 40 states currently considering 232 civics policies, we are highlighting the “heroic act” of teaching by celebrating the current and former educators championing this legislation as elected officials.
From Indiana to Hawaii, these leaders are leveraging their expertise to establish standalone courses and vital funding, while our 620-member TACL coalition continues to move the needle on federal policy.
Research Roundup
New research from scholar Ari Kim, titled Civic Capital in Uneven and Uncertain Times, highlights that open classroom climates serve as a “great equalizer” for students’ civic development.
While students enter school with varying levels of civic capital, this study finds that intentional classroom interventions can bridge social inequalities to boost civic knowledge and participation.
These findings suggest that prioritizing information literacy and strategies for engaging with controversial issues is essential for building a student’s sense of belonging and commitment to the common good.
AI Corner
The Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) 2026 AI Index Report highlights a critical gap: 80% of students use generative AI, yet only 6% of teachers have clear district guidance. This disparity underscores that AI literacy is now a civic necessity, essential for helping future voters critically evaluate information in a digital democracy. To prepare the next generation, we must move toward intentional K–12 instruction and robust policies that treat AI as a universal civic skill.
On the Road
250 Years Forward: Shaping the Future of Civics in Connecticut
Indiana Civics Summit
Coalition Partner Spotlight: Democratic Knowledge Project
In the News
Spring has sprung some interesting news in the civics world:
- The New York Times took a deep dive into the UNC School of Civic Life and Leadership, one of the many college-based schools on civic thought that have cropped up across the country.
- Rick Hess has a one-on-one with Richard Kahlenberg about how to teach what it means to be an American in his Education Week column.
- Center for Civic Education’s Donna Phillips discussed the importance of civic education and the Center’s “We the People” competition national finals on C-SPAN.
- Sam Westerdale, a civics teacher in Aurora, CO, spoke to Chalkbeat about how she’s approaching teaching civics during the nation’s semiquincentennial.
New Member
CivxNow continues to grow, now officially standing at more than 410 member organizations! The latest addition:
We remain deeply appreciative of member efforts and all that we accomplish together. Our goal is to aggregate and activate large networks of support to expand and re-imagine civic education as a force for civic strength. To our members, thank you for your partnership.
If your organization is interested in joining CivxNow or in learning more, please contact us at CivxNow@icivics.org.
Related Posts
April 2026
Open Classrooms Key to Students’ Civic Development Penn State Education Policy Studies scholar Ari Kim finds that open classroom climates
Teacher-Leaders at the Center of Civics Policy Push
Teachers are our most authentic, effective advocates for stronger K–12 civic learning across the country. Whether in the classroom or