Advancing Civic Readiness on the Eve of America 250
States Answer the Call for Stronger Civics Ahead of the 250th
As we mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, state legislatures have risen to the occasion to sustain and strengthen the foundations for self-government through civic education. Forty states considered 245 bills concerning K–12 civic education this spring. Two-thirds of these bills aligned with the CivxNow State Policy Menu, securing major wins including high school civics courses in Alaska and Mississippi, a $2.6M investment in New York, and expanding civic seals to 19 total states.
While the civic learning field has much to celebrate this weekend on this seminal anniversary, the 250th is but the first mile in a marathon to ensure the rising generation can sustain and strengthen this audacious experiment in self-government.
More Than Ink and Parchment—Tracing the Living History of the Declaration
In his timely new book, National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America, Michael Auslin traces the 250-year journey of the Declaration of Independence and how its reproductions and the debates over its meaning have shaped our nation.
From the Declaration’s early survival during the War of 1812 to President Lincoln trumpeting its lofty ideals to preserve the Union, the book highlights how marginalized groups have perennially invoked the Declaration’s words to challenge the country to live up to its founding creed. Auslin’s careful documentation is an important contribution during this seminal year, compelling us to write the next chapter and carry the birthright of these ideals forth for generations to come.
On the Road
Education Writers Association
At the 79th annual Education Writers Association National Seminar, iCivics Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Shawn Healy joined a panel of experts to discuss policy progress, experiential programming, and the impact of the upcoming 2028 state-level NAEP Civics Assessment data.
State and National Civic Convenings
iCivics State Policy Lead for the Southeast Chloe Jordan recently engaged with civic leaders and educators at both the Lifelong Civic Learning Convening in Kentucky and the 2026 TN Civics Academy.
Jordan also attended the Brookings on the Hill: Civics at 250 event in Washington, D.C., which included a cross-partisan panel with Senators Angus King (I-ME), James Lankford (R-OK), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), co-sponsors of the CIVICS Act of 2025 (S. 2841).
Coalition Partner Spotlight: U.S. Soccer & Soccer Forward Foundation
In the News
As we’re counting down the final days until the 250th, civics is everywhere in the news:
- The Christian Science Monitor looked at our nation’s civic education renaissance on the eve of the semiquincentennial.
- Both More Perfect and AEI released surveys that speak to weakening faith in democracy and the need for more civics.
- USA Today visited a civics classroom in Virginia and spoke to teachers across the country about how civics can bridge divides.
- NPR took us inside the National Constitution Center as it made its museum accessible during A250.
Coalition Members
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
States Answer the Call for Stronger Civics Ahead of the 250th
The moment we’ve been building toward is finally here: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Book Review: More Than Ink and Parchment—Tracing the Living History of the Declaration
Twenty years ago, as resident scholar at the McCormick Foundation’s Freedom Museum, I guarded a Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration