Category: Insights

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 in second careers as policymakers or in other places across the civics landscape, we celebrate educators who prioritize students’ civic development on the eve of Teacher Appreciation Month in May.

From 2021–2025, 33 states adopted at least 50 pro-civics policies, and this forward momentum continues this spring with 40 states considering 232 policies concerning K–12 civic education. We’ll provide a complete recap of the spring session in a subsequent newsletter, but this month we want to highlight the current and former teachers now championing civic learning as elected officials across states.

  •  Indiana State Representative Tony Cook (R)—former social studies teacher, football coach, and principal—sponsored 2021 legislation to create a state civic education commission and require a standalone middle school civics course.
  • Minnesota State Senator Steve Cwodzinski (D)—a high school civics and history teacher for three decades—championed 2023 legislation that established  a standalone high school civics course requirement in Minnesota and is the lead author of legislation to establish a civic seals program.
  • Utah State Representative Douglas Welton (R)—a current history and world languages teacher and debate coach—advocated for a law to extend the state’s one-semester high school civics course to a full year starting with the 2026–2027 school year, allowing for a greater focus on state and local government, including study of the state constitution.
  • Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) trained to be a social studies teacher and has been an ally of the field during his two terms as chief executive. In 2019, Gov. DeWine signed legislation that established a civic seals program in the state and, last year, he successfully requested appropriations for an elementary-level literacy curriculum that infuses social studies content.
  • Hawaii State Representative Amy Perruso (D)—a social studies educator for nearly 20 years—serves as vice chair of the Commission to Promote and Advance Civic Education (PACE), and is the current sponsor of legislation to establish a civics trust fund, drawing upon public and private funding, to support civics programming in middle schools.
  • Connecticut State Representative Kevin Brown (D) is still in the classroom teaching civics (18+ years) and on the field coaching youth sports. He carried legislation the past two sessions to establish a civic seals program. This spring, it passed as part of a broader education package, and was signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont last month.

Teachers need not pursue elected office to “do civics for civics.” Over the past couple of years, the CivxNow coalition’s Teachers Advancing Civic Learning (TACL) has empowered teachers to advocate for stronger state and federal civic education policies. Now more than 620 members strong and representing 49 states, TACL members participate in quarterly trainings, receive monthly activation opportunities and policy updates, and engage in targeted state and federal policy campaigns.

Teachers also joined an educator-focused Hill Day last year held in partnership with the National Council of the Social Studies (NCSS) at the start of their annual conference. More than 40 participants representing 24 states visited more than 50 congressional offices, meeting with House and Senate members and staff from both sides of the aisle. We are currently planning a second Hill Day, bringing together educators, partners, and coalition members to advocate for civics and history education, on July 15, 2026, to coincide with NCSS’ Summer Leadership Institute. 

Teaching civics during this time of deep political polarization is a heroic act, and we are grateful for our educator allies. We salute all educators during Teacher Appreciation Month and throughout the year, and we invite your participation in our coming collective impact activities on Capitol Hill and across states.

Celebrating National Civic Learning Week During America’s 250th

In the afterglow of our fourth annual national Civic Learning Week (CLW), we’re in awe and appreciative of the scope and span of the CivxNow coalition’s collective work to strengthen K–12 civic education. This year’s events, proclamations, op-eds and earned media, and other forms of advocacy shined the spotlight on civics as we count down the final weeks until the Semiquincentennial.

The CLW Nahttps://vision.icivics.org/civic-learning-week-2026-believe-in-bottom-up-civic-renewal/tional Forum has become the civic learning field’s seminal annual event, as evidenced by this year’s over-capacity two-day summit. It was particularly special to host the Forum in Philadelphia in this anniversary year and to have robust participation from our most important stakeholders—students and teachers. The iCivics policy team treasured the opportunity to see so many of you in three dimensions outside of our normal Zoom boxes.

After the Forum, we followed our Founders’ lead in crossing the Delaware River, where we attended CivicsNJ’s second annual convening. Civic learning and engagement is clearly unifying the Garden State. North, Central, and South Jersey were all well represented, and attendees were treated to an inspiring address by Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, who has emerged as a clear civics champion.

My Civic Learning Week travels then took me to The Fund for American Studies’ (TFAS) Developing Courageous Citizens conference in Washington, D.C. Across these three convenings, I was struck by the shared values, not to mention common attendees and speakers. The quest to develop a sense of reflective patriotism across generations presents an opportunity for unity in these polarized times, embracing the lofty ideals of our founding.

Meanwhile, iCivics State Policy Lead Andrea Benites was covering the western United States, where the University of New Mexico hosted a convening on developing a civic diploma seals program in the coming year.

Appropriately, Connecticut became the 13th state to offer civic seals earlier this month as Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation. Similar legislation awaits Governor Kim Reynolds’ signature in Iowa. As of this writing, civic seals bills passed one legislative chamber in Idaho, Maryland, and New Hampshire, and out of committee in Minnesota.

Throughout the week, CivxNow members celebrated civic learning across the country—in K–12 classrooms, museums and historic sites, government buildings, colleges and universities, presidential libraries, online, and elsewhere. Partners across different sectors spread the word on the importance of student civic learning throughout their own networks, states, and local communities. Overall, CLW was celebrated by more than 200 organizational partners, with activities registered in all 50 states + DC, and 25 official state and local proclamations issued at last count.

The CivxNow coalition continues to have a galvanizing effect on the field through these powerful collective impact efforts.

We are living in split-screen times, where there’s simultaneously deep concern about our civic health and celebration of this long-standing experiment in self-governance. This profoundly civic moment presents generational opportunities to carry forth the momentum of CLW throughout this anniversary year and ensure investments in the civic inheritance of our posterity for the next 250 years and beyond.

Three Ways YOU Can Celebrate Civic Learning Week

Civic Learning Week (March 9–13) is a weeklong national celebration that highlights the importance of civic education in sustaining and strengthening our constitutional democracy, bringing together students, educators, policymakers, and civic leaders across sectors. During the nation’s semiquincentennial, this movement serves as a catalyst for uplifting youth and preparing our communities for the next 250 years and beyond. Here are three things you can do to celebrate Civic Learning Week:

  1. Plan Your Own Initiative for Civic Learning Week

    Use Civic Learning Week as a way to engage your own networks, communities, and classrooms in conversations about civic education, empowering youth, and community engagement. This is an opportunity to further amplify the work you are already doing toward strengthening civic education, constitutional democracy, and youth.

    If you are an educator or school leader, use an official Civic Learning Week resource to engage your students in an activity or lesson during March 9–13. Upload your school-based activity to show others how your classroom celebrated Civic Learning Week and uplifted civic education.

    Plan your own public event, activity, or initiative and submit it on the website to become an official Civic Learning Week partner. Collaborate with other civic leaders, organizations, and community members to plan this event and broaden your audience.

    Spread the word about Civic Learning Week and civic education! Highlight the work you are already engaging in to strengthen civic learning and constitutional democracy. Use this social media toolkit for sample language, graphic assets, and more.

  2. Join an Event

    Throughout Civic Learning Week, there are many in-person and online events, activations, and initiatives hosted by CivxNow members and other leaders across the nation. Look through the Civic Learning Week calendar to learn about these events, or check out the map to see what’s happening in your state or community. Use this as an opportunity to spread the word and encourage your colleagues, network, or communities to join Civic Learning Week events or activities.

  3. Register for the National Forum Livestream

    The Civic Learning Week National Forum serves as an anchor for Civic Learning Week. In anticipation of the nation’s semiquincentennial, this year’s theme is Liberty and Learning: Civic Education at 250.

    While we have reached capacity for the in-person event in Philadelphia, we invite you to join us virtually via the National Forum livestream. Tune in March 9 and 10 to explore how educators, policymakers, researchers, academics, and private- and public-sector leaders are energizing the movement to advance high-quality civic education nationwide.

A Heartfelt Farewell from Coalition Engagement Director Ace Parsi

How does one summarize five years of transformative professional experiences in a few paragraphs? You don’t—but I’ll try. After five years of coordinating the CivxNow coalition, I decided to leave my role as Director of Coalition Engagement at iCivics to pursue a new professional chapter of public service. I leave this work with deep faith, gratitude, and hope in all of you, and I look forward to cheering your efforts from the sidelines.

During my time here, I’ve told everybody I’ve spoken to, “You may have a good job, but I have a better job—the best job, in all of education.” I’ve meant it. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the most deeply mission-oriented individuals and organizations in the country, facilitating a truly pluralistic collective with individuals and organizations working toward essential missions.

My experiences included the launch of the Roadmap to Educating for American Democracy, the inaugural and subsequent powerful Civic Learning Weeks, progress in integrating civics into the AI and education landscape, and witnessing the coalition grow from 170 to well over 400 organizations. 

I’m proud of these accomplishments, but what I’ve found most fulfilling are the friendships and relationships that I’ve formed. That’s what I’ll take with me. There are talented people in this field who could be making more money and working less, but they choose to invest themselves in something greater: the health of the world’s oldest modern democracy. I can’t think of a more important vocation. If public office is a sacred trust, so is civic learning. 

Great public servants work as hard for people who disagree with them as they do for those who agree; great civic learning organizations do the same. We are in the business of planting seeds for something bigger and better than any single issue of the day; we’re in the business of planting seeds for a stronger, more vibrant, and inclusive democracy. 

At its best, that’s what public service does, and that’s what great civic learning does. I will carry our work together in this new professional chapter of public service as part of who I am. I hope you continue to shepherd the CivxNow coalition during this 250th year of our constitutional democracy and contribute to its strength and sustenance for years to come. 

In civics,

Ace Parsi

Crucial March Toward Stronger Civic Education Continued in 2025

Amidst a turbulent year for our country, the CivxNow Coalition continued its crucial march to strengthen K–12 civic learning from coast to coast.

Back in January, we challenged newly sworn-in federal leaders to strengthen investments in civic education, and Congress responded by maintaining appropriations for American History and Civics Academies and National Activities at $23M. This fall, the Trump Administration increased this investment to $153M over three years with grants to higher education institutions and nonprofits in celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In May and December, the CivxNow policy team led and was part of two Hill Day efforts, where dozens of teachers, students, nonprofit leaders, and veterans made the case for civic learning among congressional offices. With our partners at the National Council for the Social Studies, 50 teachers from 24 states facilitated impactful meetings with their U.S. Senators and Representatives, ensuring that classroom voices are elevated in our nation’s capital during this challenging time for educators.

Turning to states, there is clear momentum for stronger civic learning policies, with 195 civics-related bills in 45 states, and 145 of them (73%) aligning with the CivxNow State Policy Menu. Several made it across the finish line, including Louisiana’s adoption of civics diploma seals; Ohio’s $500,000 appropriation for curriculum development at the intersection of civics and literacy; and a Utah law extending its high school course requirement from a semester to a full year.

Since 2021, by our count, 33 states have adopted at least 50 policies strengthening K–12 civic education. And thanks to the work of our state affiliates, a plethora of states are poised to move legislation expanding course requirements, civics appropriations, civic seals, and information literacy in the new year. These gains are delivering demonstrable impact: In the 12 states with new or expanded civics course requirements since 2018, we estimate that 700,000 additional students benefit each year through dedicated instruction in civics.

The collective impact documented above is attributable to our now 400-member-strong coalition and nearly 50-state-plus-D.C. representation on our State Policy Task Force. This fall we orchestrated impactful stakeholder events in Columbus, OH; Denver, CO; and St. Louis, MO. We’ve also convened a “State America 250 Commission K–12 Youth Coordinating Working Group” with a goal of ensuring that civic learning is central to next year’s semiquincentennial celebrations and commemorations.

We took the Civic Learning Week National Forum to the West Coast back in March, partnering with the Hoover Institution at Stanford University to reach new geographic and ideological audiences. Beyond the National Forum, our partners hosted events in all 50 states, celebrated teachers, and elevated student voice in making the case for universal access to high-quality K–12 civic learning. We hope to see many of you in Philadelphia this coming March for the next National Forum, and encourage each of your organizations to participate in the weeklong national celebration during the nation’s 250th.

Before signing off for the year, I’d like to recognize the members of the policy team who make this work possible:

  • Ace Parsi has more than doubled the size of CivxNow since taking the reins and has achieved near universal participation among members in our collective impact efforts.
  • Abbie Kaplan was the architect of the aforementioned Hill days and the captain of our federal policy campaign, engaging partners and educators in our federal policy and advocacy activities.
  • Diana Leo is building a strong coalition presence in the Southwest and helped deliver the important policy win in Utah.
  • Andrea Benites moved seamlessly from policy coordinator to state lead in the Mid-Atlantic region. Previously, she led the last two state policy scans and meticulously tracked civics bills on a weekly basis throughout the year.
  • Sydney Moore joined the team as policy associate after previously serving as an intern supporting coalition engagement work.
  • Dave Buchanan continued his two-hatted role as Massachusetts coalition leader and professional learning provider, repeatedly securing the largest annual state appropriation for K–12 civic education in the country.
  • And we sadly bid farewell to Lisa Boudreau and Tanisha Pruitt this year. Lisa quarterbacked great successes at the state level since 2022, and Tanisha began building our focused policy campaigns in the Midwest. We pledge to carry their work forward with aplomb.

Our team is eternally grateful for your partnership, collegiality, and friendship as we collectively carry the banner for stronger K–12 civic education as a bulwark for our constitutional democracy. We wish you and yours the happiest of holidays and look forward to the promise of the new year, our nation’s 250th. See you in 2026!

Civic Education This Thanksgiving

When we think about Thanksgiving in the K–12 context, it’s hard not to picture turkey hats, gratitude worksheets, and children’s books about the story of Thanksgiving. For the civic learning field, this season calls us to think more deeply and build young people’s capacity to develop skills to bridge divides. To that end, in this Thanksgiving iteration of our newsletter, we invite you to:

  • Be public in your gratitude for teachers and schools. Appreciation is as core to Thanksgiving as turkey and stuffing. We invite you and your organization to use these templates to thank a few specific civic teachers and schools you work with. Appreciation is about helping people feel seen, and there is no better time to elevate these essential professionals and institutions than now.
  • Lean into the full range of lessons. In celebrating Thanksgiving, we must note that in many communities— particularly Native American communities—this can be challenging. We may be motivated to lean away from the complexities of the holiday season, but as iCivics Chief Education Officer Emma Humphries encouraged us recently, we can teach hard things—and we should. When we do, we give our young people more tools to navigate tough conversations. Get started with some lessons from our coalition partner, C-SPAN.
  • Teach to bridge divides. During a time of “lamentable civil strife,” President Lincoln’s 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation recognized many bounties and looked to “peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.” This is the great challenge of the Thanksgiving table: holding multiple, sometimes competing, ideas in tension and getting family and friends of divergent views and experiences to meaningfully listen and navigate differences. Check out these partner resources for bridging activities.

So happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for your work, enjoy time with your friends and family, and let’s live our time moving forward with gratitude and boldness.

New Report Highlights Civic Consequences of AI

For decades, schools have wrestled with technological change (think the internet, personal devices, social media, etc.), but not necessarily as a civic phenomenon. Meanwhile, states are bearing the consequences of declining institutions and political discourse.

That’s why, in partnership with the EDSAFE AI Alliance, CivxNow is excited to release an urgent new report, States of the Union: Rebuilding American Civics for a Digital Republic. 

This report is an invitation for state policymakers to consider the civic implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it will impact the next generation—today’s kindergartners who will be high school seniors when the U.S. Constitution turns 250.

While many reports focus on the economic effects of AI, this document emphasizes its civic consequences, specifically how it will influence citizens’ relationships with one another and with core American values like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The report argues that because the U.S. education system is grounded in federalism, states must take action. It proposes several policy levers for state leaders to consider, including:

  • Integrating AI into courses with a focus on civic knowledge and skills;
  • Providing funding for educator professional development and learning resources;
  • Aligning state standards to include data and media literacy;
  • Ensuring assessments provide actionable information on students’ civic progress;
  • Recognizing schools that use AI to strengthen communities and democracy; and
  • Elevating information literacy as a fundamental civic skill for the 21st century.

By implementing these actions, states can ensure that the next 13 years of schooling—from the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to the 250th anniversary of the Constitution—continue to prepare students for informed civic participation.

Constitution Day Reflections on the Eve of America’s 250th 

Earlier this month, we collectively celebrated Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. As we look ahead to the nation’s semiquincentennial in July, there are both signs of hope—civic knowledge is on the rise—and concern—distrust of age-old American institutions threatens to compromise the nation’s constitutional democracy.

The Annenberg Public Policy Center’s annual survey of Americans’ constitutional knowledge found a promising increase in those able to identify the three branches of government (70%, up from 64% last year) and freedom of speech as protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (79% versus 74% in 2024). Still concerning are the 13% of Americans who can’t identify any of the three branches of government. What’s more, none of the remaining freedoms of the First Amendment were identified by more than half of those surveyed, with freedom of religion topping out at 48%.

Far from being relegated to the pages of history, the U.S. Constitution’s relevancy today is being demonstrated as the three branches work through their balance of powers and the extent of executive power is litigated in the courts. Moreover, the limits of free speech are front and center in this period of appalling political violence. 

Perhaps most concerning among the Annenberg findings is the dramatic decline in public trust for the U.S. Supreme Court. Like so many aspects of contemporary American life, views of the Court are shaped by political affiliation, yet the problem of institutional distrust is much broader than the Court and spans the political spectrum.

This toxic mix of political polarization and lack of institutional trust threatens the strength and sustenance of our constitutional democracy, and civic education remains the most promising pathway to bridge divides and restore trust. This begins by affirming and practicing the pluralism that makes America exceptional, “with malice toward none.” In K–12 classrooms and on college campuses, we must model the norms of civil discourse and debate that are essential to the survival of this grand experiment in self-governance.

Institutional trust is admittedly earned, but it is also built through a better understanding of our federalist system and the opportunities for us to engage with government in Washington, D.C., state capitals, and our communities. Moreover, the best way to push institutions to live up to the lofty ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago is through civic engagement within constitutional boundaries. As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th, our institutions are certainly in need of a check-up. Let us work within them and across parties to “form a more perfect union” as envisioned in the U.S. Constitution.

2025 State Policy Scan Provides Updated Insight Into Civic Learning Policies, State by State

The CivxNow team conducts an annual scan of state policies impacting civic education. Each year, these results demonstrate progress being made at the state level and serve as a valuable resource for legislators, policymakers, school administrators, advocates, and others. The scan is based on recommendations from the CivxNow State Policy Menu, and verified by each state’s Social Studies Specialist or closest education professional. The State Policy Map allows users to view results for individual states. 

  • The scan asks about requirements for high school and middle school civics. As of this year’s policy scan, 36 states (plus DC) now require civics course time in high school in order to graduate. The number of states requiring civics in middle school remained unchanged from last year, with only five states requiring such a course through state statute. It’s important to note that most states establish middle school course time requirements through state learning standards. 

  • A civics assessment is required in 29 states. While that total number remained unchanged from the prior policy scan, the mix of states is different, with the requirement being repealed or established in various states over the past year. 

  • The most recent scan shows 17 states with programs that recognize excellence in civics among students and/or schools—an increase of 3 states since last year. 

  • The total number of states that provide credit for service-learning opportunities decreased by 1 in 2025, to a total of 39 states (plus DC), with an adjustment being made for Nevada, which does not offer credit to students for service-learning experiences, but instead requires such experiences to earn the state’s Seal of Civics. 

  • In 2025, 16 state legislatures appropriated specific funds for K–12 civic education, including curriculum development, resources, and/or professional development for civics teachers. 

  • Civics-related professional development for educators was offered in 44 states (plus DC), up from 36 in 2024. Professional development can be offered in a variety of ways, whether directly from the state’s Department of Education or through grants or third-party partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

America’s 250th: More Than a Celebration; A Call to Action

Welcome to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the celebration of a relatively young nation, but still the world’s oldest democracy. As we look into our crystal ball to predict the future, we know one thing for certain: July 4, 2026 will bring massive fireworks and the presentation of tall ships. Everything else is a bit hazy, but we, the members of the civic learning field, have a central role to play in preparing young people, and all of us, to write a positive script for the next 250 years of the American experiment.

Consider this reality: A student entering kindergarten this year will graduate high school when this nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. In a nation where large portions of the public support the Constitution, but can’t name all three branches of government, what will we have done as a field to educate and empower that kindergartner in the coming years to ensure that when they complete high school they are informed and empowered to keep our constitutional democracy vibrant, strong, and secure? In kicking off this year, what can you do to build that brighter future? 

  • Join and promote a campaign: There are many possibilities, but two you might consider are America’s 100 Docs, led by the National Archives Foundation, and the Civic Star Challenge for teachers, led by iCivics and the Bill of Rights Institute. Fun contests with prizes can help bring this moment to life in a classroom near you.
  • Encourage your state America 250 Commission to center civic learning: Each state commission will have its own program and priorities for the coming year. Ensure that they center young people and civic learning in those plans. 
  • Advocate to your elected officials: During the August recess, meet with your elected officials and ask them to use this moment to make a generational investment in America’s youth and their civic learning. (Contact Abbie Kaplan for more information.)

Democracy requires active participation. Let’s ensure that civic learning is America’s learning, this year and beyond.