By HANNAH SKANDERA and MICHAEL CARNEY
In an era of political polarization and widespread civic illiteracy, an unlikely group is spearheading a movement to reinvigorate American democracy: middle school students.
Over 6,000 students in 28 states devoted countless hours to prepare for the National Civics Bee this year. Their enthusiasm highlights a critical gap in our education system and offers a potential solution.
They included Emily Brubaker of Romig Middle School in Anchorage, who was the winner of Alaska’s Civics Bee competition.
The stark reality is that civic education in America has been neglected for decades. According to the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, only a third of adults would pass the civics exam required for U.S. citizenship. Even more alarming, the Annenberg Public Policy Center reports that nearly one-fifth of Americans can’t name a single branch of government.
For the younger generation, the outlook is equally grim. The 2022 Nation’s Report Card revealed that a mere 22% of eighth-graders are proficient in civics.
There’s a growing recognition across the country that we’re facing a civic crisis. From local initiatives to national programs, efforts are underway to revitalize civic education and promote essential democratic skills.
The National Civics Bee, launched in 2022 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, is one of the most innovative responses to this challenge. This competition, modeled after the National Spelling Bee, tests middle schoolers on crucial concepts like voting rights, separation of powers, and pivotal moments in American democratic history.
What sets the Civics Bee apart is its non-partisan, apolitical approach and ability to scale nationally in partnership with local chambers of commerce. In our divisive times, these competitions offer a refreshing focus on the fundamental principles that unite us as a nation. Moreover, it’s not just engaging students; entire families are getting involved by attending events and helping children prepare.
The Civics Bee’s impact extends beyond competition day. This knowledge equips them for a lifetime of active citizenship.
“Before the National Civics Bee, I thought that maybe I could do a bit of volunteer work, but other than that, it was mainly the government’s job [to solve problems],” Washington state champion Benjamin Wu said in a 2023 interview. “But now I know that there’s a lot of things that I and other people like me can do to help our community.”
As we approach another fraught election, the importance of civic literacy cannot be overstated. Despite our differences, we are bound by a shared constitutional framework. It’s crucial that we, as a society, prioritize teaching these fundamentals.
The success of the National Civics Bee should serve as a call to action. We need to champion similar initiatives, advocate for robust civics programs in our schools, and commit to enhancing our own civic knowledge. Educators, policymakers, and citizens must recognize that a well-informed populace strengthens and revitalizes our democratic institutions.
Our democracy faces numerous challenges, from misinformation to apathy. But if we follow the lead of these civic-minded youngsters, we might just secure a brighter future for our republic. After all, an informed and engaged citizenry is the bedrock of a thriving democracy.
Hanna Skandera is the president and CEO of the Daniels Fund and former Secretary of Public Education of New Mexico. Michael Carney is the president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
I could not agree more. Civics is sorely lacking. As a first grade student, I thought the President had full authority to run the country. As a third grade student, I knew that was not true. By the time I got to HS, I realized the President is actually very limited in his authority. (Limits that have been, and continue to be tested to the breaking point lately.)
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What else is lacking in grade school education? Some financial literacy as well. Too many children these days have zero idea of how money works.
Maybe you should tell the Trumpers that.
I think I just did.
Your reply to Rino for the name calling is not all his fault.
Hillary set the bar pretty high in 2016 by calling all Trump supporters an “irredeemable basket of deplorables” but now Biden has “Trumped” her name calling by labeling all Trump supporters “Garbage”.
When name calling politicians use foul language to describe a large group of people who they know absolutely nothing about that is the accurate definition of a deranged individual….and it just so happens that both of these deranged namecallers have been widely supported by the Democratic party.
You know, Rino, you won’t win any friends by blindly calling everyone a “Trumper”. We are people, just like you with hopes and dreams and personal responsibilities. We have hobbies and upkeeps, we have friends and families. We have a love for our country.
You seem to always accuse us of hate and supporting a NAZI, but time and time again it is you, RINO, who demonstrates hate against your own countrymen.
You should just give it a rest and maybe take a moment to reflect and do what it takes to correct your actions and thoughts. It is quite clear that you suffer from unresolved traumas and you always look to trolls others to fill the empty void of your soul.
Most of us are wise to you. We know you suffer inside, or else you would not blindly hate so many people you don’t even know. Poor brainwashed fool.
Take a look
Very well said I totally agree.
We need more common sense people like you not more rinos.
Too many children, teens think Gov’t hands out the money $$ to whom every is willing to sign their life away..to the dead beats.
Good post and good response cb. I can’t agree with you more.
Two basic thoughts reading this article , yes we have no done very well teaching Civics in this country. When I graduated HS in the 1982 the very thought of not knowing how are country operates was unheard of. The second thought about this article is that we are not a pure Democracy but a Constitutional Republic that elects people using democratic election process but clearly the government is not ran the same way.
The schools are too busy with that nonsense. It seems more important to be “woke”…..did I offend you yet?
Fine, so long as it isn’t taught from the Frankfurt School “critical” perspective!
When I was in High School back in the 70’s I took a class that taught bookkeeping, balancing a checkbook, how to write a resume, how to dress for interviews and 10 key adding machine. We also ran the school store. I also took shop. Students that graduated today are prepared for NOTHING!!!
Ha! Really showing your age Kirky.
The Cold War introduced Federally backed curriculum in Science and Social Studies during our time. Our you suggesting the Federal Government intervene?
When I looked last bank checks were on the way out (checking classes). We now have plastic cards and digital pay.
Resume building…well, Deena Bishop (AK Edu) recommends using AI for important documents. Sniff that one.
Dressing for interviews?? Unemployment is at 4%. You show up with tattoos and piercings… you get the job. Like it or not. Even our Navy tattooed friends from the 60’s!
Accept it…your “perfect” upbringing is not reality in today’s world. You graduated in 70’s (me too) and we ushered in the worst economy for decades. Do you remember inflation and interest rates after we graduated!?
Pulling at imaginary cobwebs doesn’t mean that they are real.
There is yet promise with the kids, but none for the adults short of rounding ’em up and re-educating them with an acceptable ethics! Get real Skandera and Carney: it doesn’t take much to realize that most adults in this country are dumb as rocks.
But, Skandera and Carney, if you’re peddling some sort of money-making scheme, have at it! I’m sure you’ll score a hit or two; just don’t come knocking at my door! I’ve grown tired of listening to do-gooders! Save yourselves and be done with it!