Category: Insights

Civic Education This Thanksgiving

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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

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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 

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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

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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

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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. 

A Renewed Commitment to American Civics: State-Led Initiatives Gain Momentum

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A notable trend is emerging across the U.S. as state legislatures increased their focus on strengthening civic education this Spring legislative session. Since 2021, 26 states have adopted 42 policies aligned with the CivxNow State Policy Menu, our framework for strengthening civic learning. The momentum continues this year, with 45 states considering 198 bills related to K–12 civic education. Of these, 145 (73%) are aligned with the policy menu, signaling a bipartisan consensus that civic education is a priority in states. 

Recent Legislative Successes in Civic Education

Several states recently enacted significant legislation to reinforce the importance of civics:

  • Utah: Governor Cox signed H.B. 381 into law, which he described as one of the most important bills of the session. The legislation amends high school graduation requirements to include a year-long course on American constitutional government and citizenship.
  • Missouri: Demonstrating a consistent commitment, the Missouri legislature renewed its $500,000 appropriation for professional development in civics and patriotism for the third consecutive year.
  • Louisiana: An initiative championed by State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley will create a special “Freedom Seal” for graduating students’ diplomas. The seal is designed to incentivize and recognize achievement in learning U.S. history and understanding the political process.
  • Alabama: A new appropriation of $1,500,000 will develop an online course in U.S. history, government, and/or civics. This resource will be available to all pre-K–12 teachers to support instruction aligned with the Alabama Course of Study.

Pending Legislation and Budgetary Considerations

As of the writing of this newsletter, important work continues through the legislative and budgetary process in Massachusetts, Michigan, and Ohio. 

Upcoming Policy and Educational Events

Our focus now turns to building momentum and support for the next session with several key fall events in Colorado and Ohio. Additionally, the Missouri Civic Learning Coalition and the Missouri Historical Society will host a civic education event focused on pluralism on September 30 at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis. In Kansas, CivxNow will co-sponsor a youth-centered civic summit at Washburn University on November 4 and 5, led by the Kansas Volunteer Commission and friends at the Dole Institute.

Strong Showing for CivxNow During Inaugural Hill Day

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Last Thursday, the CivxNow Coalition hosted its first-ever Hill Day in the nation’s Capital. Fifty civic learning advocates visited 40 congressional offices to make the case for sustainable, and ultimately, a generational investment in K–12 students’ civic development. A bipartisan cohort of Congresspeople and Senators graciously received our hopeful message during these perilous, polarized times.

Our group of students, educators, veterans, and community partners visited members of key congressional appropriations committees and respective state delegations. At stake is the current $23M annual investment in American History and Civics National Activities and Academies for the coming fiscal year (2026) that begins in October.

CivxNow members spoke to the impact of these investments, touching an estimated 4,000 teachers and 400,000 students. They expressed how a modest increase in funding would further scale civic learning opportunities for students and professional development for their teachers.

On the horizon next July is the 250th anniversary of this great nation, a clarion call for policymakers to transcend fireworks and tall ships in commemoration and ensure that our youngest Americans graduate with an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American democracy.

Kindergartners entering school this fall represent the Class of 2038, our next civic milestone when the U.S. Constitution turns 250. Can we guarantee that they will graduate with a deep understanding of the Declaration of Independence, a document longtime civics supporter Jack Miller likens to our national mission statement? Similarly, the Constitution is our longstanding strategic plan for governance. Imperfect, yet alterable by design, it is imperative that our youngest citizens understand the separate and shared powers across our three branches of government, the amendment process, and the Bill of Rights addendum as a condition of state ratification.

Depressing statistics of poor civic knowledge represent a self-fulfilling prophecy given civics’ marginalization in schools and paltry public investments, including less than 50 cents per student at the federal level. We can and must do better for our national posterity.

The CivxNow Coalition put its best foot forward last week in the Capital, doing civics for civics. After all, our students, teachers, and practitioners are the on-the-ground experts of effective civic learning practices and how our schools, districts, and communities stand to benefit from additional federal investment. We are deeply grateful for our partners who came from near and far to take part in this inaugural effort, sharing their authentic insights of the life-changing impact of civics in districts and states.

For most of us, entering the ornate congressional office buildings with staffers and members dressed in fancy suits is very intimidating. Add the fact that our field is resource-starved, and we present little more than the power of our stories and the vast constituencies we represent. But these offices belong to us as citizens. A plaque I encountered upon entering the office of Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi affirmed this principle: “This office belongs to the people of the 8th Congressional District of Illinois.”

We delivered a civics lesson of our own during the first ever CivxNow Hill Day: The Declaration of Independence is our birthright, and the Constitution a compact of democratic governance with “We the People.” Congress must ensure that the rising generation proudly takes this baton at America250 and works within our institutional frameworks to “build a more perfect union.”

Meeting the Moment, Celebrating Civics Teachers

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As we head into Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5–9), we salute civics teachers of all stripes who are doing their very best to educate students for democracy during these tumultuous political times.

The CivxNow Coalition honors their service by amplifying the critical work of civics teachers and students and by doubling down on our commitment to strengthening K–12 civic education policies at the local, state, and national levels.

CivxNow is meeting this moment through a five-point plan:

  1. Growing federal funding for K–12 civics, currently valued at less than 50 cents per student, and seeking a generational investment in students’ civic development to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This includes making Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations requests to individual congressional offices, a Coalition-wide sign-on letter for FY26, and our first-ever Hill Day next month on May 22. Contact our federal policy lead Abbie Kaplan for further details.
  2. Leveraging numerous state-based opportunities to strengthen civic education in partnership with our state affiliates. Since 2021, 26 states have adopted 42 policies to strengthen civic learning aligned with our State Policy Menu. This year, 44 states are considering 181 bills impacting K–12 civic education. 132 (72.9%) of them align with the policy menu.
  3. Making an affirmative case for civics by further activating the coalition for partnership at the local and state levels. This entails a relentless PR campaign, including a strong social media presence, and sharing consistent insights on coordinated messaging among coalition partners.
  4. Driving national coalition collaboration around key milestones, including Civic Learning Week in March, Civic Season this summer, Constitution Day in September, and Veterans Day in November.
  5. Strengthening the ways we work together. While CivxNow serves as the backbone of the civic learning field, we seek collective impact. This entails elevating the work of coalition partners who are meeting the moment in related issue areas, including libraries, cultural institutions, state humanities councils, and the nonprofit sector more broadly.

This collective work is producing results that will soon yield classroom impact. For example, bills already signed into law this spring in Utah to extend the current one-semester civics course requirement to a full year and in Virginia incorporating media literacy into state standards. 

Moreover, Louisiana just became the twelfth state to adopt civic seals, in this case through administrative action by the Department of Education. Other wins are sure to follow prior to legislatures adjourning for the summer. And progress will continue as the calendar turns to 2026 and we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In the Spirit of 1776, with Teacher Appreciation Week beckoning, we are excited to announce our ambitious goal to recruit 250 teachers from all 50 states and DC to join our Teachers Advancing Civic Learning (TACL) cohort, where we train and empower educators to “do civics for civics.” Teachers are our nation’s most trusted messengers and can speak firsthand to what’s needed in the classroom for students when it comes to civics. Join more than 30 CivxNow partner organizations in sharing this opportunity within your teacher networks as we advance and strengthen civic learning through policy at the local, state, and national levels.

Continuing the Momentum of Civic Learning Week 2025

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In an era where everything and everyone seems deeply polarized, how does a field maintain its sense of positivity, integrity, and viewpoint diversity? That was the high bar we set for this year’s Civic Learning Week, and we are proud to say the field rose to and far exceeded it. There were many ways we emerged successfully that can be instructive for our path ahead:

  • We showed rather than told. Our field is viewpoint diverse and believes in the power of institutions and civic learning. During Civic Learning Week we didn’t just say that, we showed it. Organizations across and outside the political spectrum highlighted this commitment to young people, pluralism, and the importance of universal access to civic learning.  
  • We saw and appreciated educators. As a field, we believe that educators play an indispensable role as stewards and protectors of our constitutional democracy. Educators played a core role in the success of the week, leading activities in all 50 states. During Civic Learning Week our partners continued to thank our educators—from classroom teachers and Girl Scout troop leaders to museum educators and the many others on the frontlines instructing young people.
  • We elevated student voices and agency, locally. So many educators engaged young people to solve authentic problems and affect actual decisions locally in their schools and communities. Ultimately, that is the powerful impact of civic learning: It connects people with a sense of place and empowers them to make that place better.

Where do we go from here? We double down on these lessons, find ways to act and build. We cannot rest on our laurels. Let’s take a moment to catch our breath, and then let’s get back on the field because civic learning isn’t just a week, it’s an ongoing movement.

Coming Full Circle for Civic Learning Week

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This past week, the Illinois General Assembly adopted Senate Resolution 131, designating the week of March 9-16 Civic Learning Week in the state. 

For me, it’s a proud moment, and one in which my work to date has come full circle. 

Twenty-five years ago last fall, I started my career as a high school social studies teacher in Sheboygan, WI. 

I taught U.S. History and Social Problems (current issues). It might surprise most who know me that I did not teach a civics course. That’s because a standalone civics course was not an option for my students. 

It was nonetheless a formative couple of years as a teacher and coach (football, basketball, and track) before I left to attend graduate school in Chicago and continued teaching at Community High School in West Chicago, IL.

That’s where I started to see the power of civic education.

West Chicago seniors take a required American Government course modeled after the Illinois General Assembly, where parliamentary procedure is employed in class each day while students debate current issues. Students later declare party affiliations, write legislation, and ultimately consider bills in committee hearings and full sessions of the legislature. 

Dubbed the “Legislative Semester,” this experience was formative for me and my students. I fondly recall asking its architect and my mentor, Steve Arnold, why all Illinois graduates didn’t have a similar opportunity. 

He was retiring that spring, and responded, “Shawn, that’s your challenge.”

I left the classroom after four years in West Chicago, but replicated the Legislative Semester in an undergraduate political science course on Congress at the University of Illinois at Chicago and continue to embed current issues discussions in public policy courses to this day. 

Most importantly, I took up Steve’s challenge as Chair of the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition (ICMC) and Director of the Democracy Program during my 16 years at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation in Chicago.

I helped expand the Illinois Democracy Schools Initiative statewide, a school recognition program focused on teaching civics across the curriculum, in extracurricular activities, and through school governance. As of this writing, more than 90 high schools are part of the Illinois Democracy Schools Network and they are representative of the state’s diverse geography and demography.

ICMC advanced a policy agenda beyond Democracy Schools that yielded a legislative task force on civic education, revised state social studies standards centering civic learning, and middle and high school civics course requirements. The spirit of the Legislative Semester is evident in the latter as Illinois civics courses include the usual direct instruction on government institutions, but also discussions of current public issues, service learning, and yes, simulations of democratic processes like lawmaking.

Chicago’s philanthropic community rallied to the cause, supporting teachers, schools, and districts with course implementation as permitted by the new state laws, investing more than $3 million annually in ongoing teacher professional learning opportunities throughout the state. From fall 2015 through spring 2019, the Illinois Civics Hub, led by the incomparable Mary Ellen Daneels, provided nearly 1,200 hours of professional learning to 8,217 teacher participants. 

In turn, teachers emerged with greater knowledge of the new mandates and efficacy in implementing related content and pedagogy in the classroom. 

Students were the ultimate beneficiaries. 

We’ve found that those taking civics courses are 20% more likely to discuss politics or public issues, 25% more likely to serve as a group leader, and 41% more likely to help make their city or town a better place for people to live. 

Illinois Senate Resolution 131 celebrates this remarkable progress in the Land of Lincoln. Its sponsor, Senator Karina Villa, is fittingly a graduate of Community High School  in West Chicago and a Legislative Semester alum.

Four years ago I joined iCivics to stand up a policy team and scale the now 365-organization-strong CivxNow coalition. 

During this time, we quadrupled federal funding for K-12 civics.

But it’s on the state level where we have made the most progress, and where we will need to focus in the coming years.

In partnership with state coalitions, CivxNow pushed for adoption of 38 policies in 24 states to strengthen K-12 civic education. This momentum carries forth this spring, with 38 states considering 131 bills concerning civic education, 95 of which are aligned with the CivxNow State Policy Menu.

One of these bills, Assembly Bill (AB) 4 in Wisconsin, sponsored by Representative Amanda Nedweski, would require a semester of civics in high school.  In recent weeks, back where my journey began, I’ve facilitated bipartisan and bicameral conversations about the bill as it makes its way through first the Assembly, and now the Senate. 

One meeting in particular with freshman Representative Joe Sheehan stands out, as he was Superintendent of Sheboygan Area School District when I was a rookie social studies teacher. Then-Superintendent Sheehan supported the adoption of a required civics course at Sheboygan South High School. Now Rep. Sheehan is committed to getting to yes on AB 4, ensuring that the Badger State joins the ranks of 35 others that require a civics course to graduate, and that schools have the requisite resources to implement it with fidelity.

As our third annual national Civic Learning Week dawns on the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison and chambers across the country, we have much to celebrate as a field, and crucial opportunities like AB 4 to further our noble cause.