Civics

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor listens as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg pays tribute to O'Connor's advocacy work on behalf of civic education, impact on female judges and justice for women and girls worldwide at the Seneca Women Global Leadership Forum at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, on April 15, 2015 in Washington.
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor listens to a tribute to her advocacy work on behalf of civics education and women's role in the legal profession at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, on April 15, 2015, in Washington.
Kevin Wolf/Invision for Seneca Women via AP Images
Law & Courts What Sandra Day O'Connor Did to Shape School Law and Civics Education
O'Connor wrote influential opinions on affirmative action, Title IX, and other education issues. Then she tirelessly worked on civics.
Mark Walsh, December 1, 2023
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10 min read
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International What the Research Says It's Not Just U.S. Students. Civics Scores Have Dropped Around the World
Eighth graders are less engaged and knowledgeable about government than they were before the pandemic, a global study finds.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 28, 2023
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5 min read
Tired man driving city traffic jam at evening. After work day, sleepy driver in car on road.
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Social Studies Opinion There's a Major Conflict at the Heart of Our Democracy. Civics Education Should Embrace It
A civics expert explains how rubbernecking and traffic jams can help students understand some of our thorniest issues.
Michael J. Feuer, November 21, 2023
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4 min read
Image of a parent and child at a voting booth.
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School Climate & Safety What the Research Says Students Suspended in School May Vote Less as Adults
Exclusionary discipline can have long-term consequences for civic engagement, a new study finds.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 2, 2023
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3 min read
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Social Studies Opinion Why Public Schools Must Bolster Civics Instruction
Our students are among the youngest voters in the country. Are they being targeted as pawns in an illicit political game?
Raymond Sanchez, September 28, 2023
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6 min read
Photo of boy in classroom with U.S. flag.
E+ / Getty
Social Studies This Popular High School Civics Requirement Doesn’t Boost Voting Habits
More than a dozen states require students to take the U.S. Citizenship exam, but it doesn't seem to boost turnout.
Sarah Schwartz, September 20, 2023
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5 min read
Image of a parent and child at a voting booth.
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Social Studies Children's Voting Habits Could Influence Their Parents' Political Participation
A new study finds a two-way relationship between parents' and teens' civic engagement.
Sarah Schwartz, September 12, 2023
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4 min read
This image shows an 1876 engraving titled "Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776" made available by the Library of Congress. On that day, the Continental Congress formally endorsed the Declaration of Independence. Celebrations began within days: parades and public readings, bonfires and candles and the firing of 13 musket rounds, one for each of the original states. Nearly a century passed before the country officially named its founding a holiday.
The 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence depicted in this engraving set in motion the long process of compromises and negotiations that led to the signing of the Constitution 11 years later.
J. Trumbull, W.L. Ormsby via AP
Social Studies A Digital Game Offers a Lesson on Compromise, the 18th Century Way
A civics group and historical site teamed up teach about the compromises made to create the U.S. Constitution.
Caitlyn Meisner, August 30, 2023
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5 min read
Illustration of cutout figures and U.S. flags.
DigitalVision Vectors / Getty
Social Studies Opinion Civics Education: Can We Teach Patriotism Without the Conformity?
New civics education requirements are good—if we learn from past mistakes.
Anil Hurkadli, August 24, 2023
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5 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Social Studies Opinion Mock Trials? Debates? Here's a Better Way to Approach Supreme Court Decisions in Class
Steer clear of any instructional method that opens the door to questioning the humanity of your students, says a social studies teacher.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 7, 2023
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7 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Beyond the Curriculum: Educators Reflect on Racism, Democracy, Purpose
What's the point of school? It does all and none of the things expected of the education system, one teacher concludes.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 26, 2023
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13 min read
Messed up puzzle pieces of an American flag on a dark blue background
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Social Studies Do You Know as Much as an 8th Grader About Civics? Quiz Yourself
Take our short quiz below to test your own knowledge of civics (and see how you stack up against today's grade 8 students).
Marina Whiteleather, May 9, 2023
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1 min read
Flag of United States and opened book
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Social Studies Understanding the Sharp Drop in History and Civics NAEP Scores: 4 Things to Know
Knowing about these trends in social studies education helps put the new NAEP results in context.
Sarah Schwartz, May 4, 2023
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6 min read
Illustration of a book, a globe, and a compass.
Laura Baker/EdWeek via Canva
Social Studies Opinion How To Fix the Shockingly Low NAEP History and Civic Scores
We need more civics and history in literacy lessons and more deliberate literacy instruction in civics and history, argues Susan Pimentel.
Susan Pimentel, May 3, 2023
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5 min read
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