Civics

Student with books and laptop computer
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Curriculum 7 Curriculum Trends That Defined 2024
From religious-themed mandates to reading to career prep, take a look at what EdWeek covered in curriculum in 2024.
Sarah Schwartz, December 13, 2024
9 min read
Teacher Brie Wattier leads a 7th and 8th grade social studies class at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School for a classroom discussion on the credibility of social media posts and AI-generated imagery on Nov. 19, 2024 in Washington, D.C.
Teacher Brie Wattier leads an 8th grade social studies class at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School for a classroom discussion on the credibility of social media posts and AI-generated imagery on Nov. 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
Courtesy of Dylan Singleton/University of Maryland
Curriculum Inside a Class Teaching Teens to Stop Scrolling and Think Critically
The course helps students learn to determine what’s true online so they can be more informed citizens.
Olina Banerji, December 9, 2024
9 min read
Noah Lipman's AP US Government and Politics students watch election results during a class election watch party at Big Lou's Pizza in San Antonio, Texas, on Nov. 5, 2024.
Noah Lipman's AP US Government and Politics students watch election results during a class election watch party at Big Lou's Pizza in San Antonio, Texas, on Nov. 5, 2024.
Lauren Santucci/Education Week
Social Studies Video What Happened as a Government Class Watched Election Returns Live
This teacher takes his AP government class to an election watch party each cycle. What that looked like this year.
2:49
Collage art of civics and democracy images.
iStock/Getty + Education Week
Teaching Opinion Schools Are Often Blamed for Our Foundering Democracy. It’s Not That Simple
Regardless of who wins the election, teachers must help students see what it means to forge a collective path ahead. Here are three steps.
Nicole Mirra & Antero Garcia, November 5, 2024
4 min read
EdTech Megan Leddy holds up her laptop to show an Electoral College map to students Sabrina Conary and Asher Clark during a discussion in the Election Year course at Mount Desert Island High School in Bar Harbor, Maine, on Oct. 22, 2024.
Teaching assistant Megan Leddy holds up her laptop to show an Electoral College map to students Sabrina Conary and Asher Clark during a discussion in the Election Year course at Mount Desert Island High School in Bar Harbor, Maine, on Oct. 22, 2024.
Linda Coan O'Kresik for Education Week
Social Studies Inside the Class Where Students Talk About Abortion, Trump v. Harris, and More
A Maine high school has piloted a new class called Election Year, where students dive deep into campaign politics.
Olina Banerji, October 29, 2024
8 min read
A bin of "I Voted Today" stickers rests on a table at a polling place, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Stratham, N.H.
A bin of "I Voted Today" stickers rests on a table at a polling place, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Stratham, N.H.
Charles Krupa/AP
Social Studies Download How to Hold a Mock Election in Your Classroom: A Downloadable Guide
Tips for an engaging, age-appropriate mock election that develops students' voting habits.
Evie Blad, October 11, 2024
1 min read
Students at Northside Intermediate prepare for a mock election on Nov. 8, 2016 in Opelika, Ala.
Students at Northside Intermediate School in Opelika, Alaska, prepare for a mock election on Nov. 8, 2016.
Todd Van Emst/Opelika-Auburn News via AP
Social Studies Mock Elections in Schools Evolve to Build Trust in Democracy
Schools use mock elections to help build voting habits early and help students understand the electoral process.
Evie Blad, October 9, 2024
9 min read
Illustration of teen boy voting.
ilustradani / Digital Vision Vectors
Social Studies Opinion How to Host a Voter Drive in Your Classroom (and Why You Should)
Get-out-the-vote activities can offer students a powerful lesson in democracy.
Web Hutchins, September 26, 2024
5 min read
U.S. Elections - Background - Nation's Captiol - Civics
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Social Studies From Our Research Center Civics Is Getting Harder to Teach, Principals Say
School leaders says they advise teachers to avoid certain topics to fend off complaints from parents.
Sarah Schwartz, September 6, 2024
4 min read
AP U.S. government and politics teacher Shari Conditt poses for a photo in her classroom at Woodland High School on Aug. 27, 2024.
AP U.S. government and politics teacher Shari Conditt poses for a photo in her classroom at Woodland High School on Aug. 27, 2024.
Courtesy of Kyla Keefer
Social Studies In Their Own Words Teaching Presidential Elections Isn't Easy. How One Teacher Manages
Shari Conditt teaches her students about electoral processes through current events including presidential elections.
Ileana Najarro, August 28, 2024
6 min read
This combination photo shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an event, Aug. 15, 2024, in Bedminster, N.J., left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Raleigh, N.C., Aug. 16, 2024.
This combination photo shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an event, Aug. 15, 2024, in Bedminster, N.J., left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Raleigh, N.C., Aug. 16, 2024. Teachers say teaching about the election is key to boost civic engagement among students.
AP
Social Studies How Teachers Tackle 2024 Election Discussions
The 2024 presidential election offers an opportunity to grow civic engagement, teachers say.
Ileana Najarro, August 28, 2024
7 min read
Taking a closer look at the growing nose of a Pinocchio @ symbol figure
Eva Vázquez for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion Schools Can’t Cure Polarization. Here’s How They Survive It
To avoid controversy, many educators have learned to sidestep contentious topics. That’s understandable—and wrong.
Eli Gottlieb, August 26, 2024
7 min read
digital citizenship computer phone 1271520062
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Curriculum Opinion There’s a Better Way to Teach Digital Citizenship
Many popular resources for digital-citizenship education only focus on good online behavior. That’s a problem.
Alexandra Thrall & T. Philip Nichols, August 20, 2024
5 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Social Studies Opinion How Can Civics Education Safeguard Democracy?
The purpose of civics education must be about more than just getting students to vote.
Rick Hess, August 13, 2024
4 min read