Civics

Paper made stick figures of men and women standing with lots of american flags surrounding them.
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Social Studies States Push Civics Education Amid Political Tensions in Classrooms
The subject has become a minefield for teachers and schools in recent months. Do new civics mandates acknowledge that difficulty?
Sarah Schwartz, May 12, 2025
7 min read
Retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter smiles during a new lecture series titled, "Constitutionally Speaking" on Sept. 14, 2012 in Concord, N.H. Souter spoke to more than 1,300 who packed a small theater to hear him.
Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter, pictured participating a Sept. 14, 2012, lecture series on the U.S. Constitution in Concord, N.H., died May 8, 2025.
Jim Cole/AP
Law & Courts Retired Justice Souter, Advocate for Civics and Church-State Split, Dies at 85
Retired Justice David Souter, who wrote Supreme Court opinions on student strip searches and government aid to religion, has died.
Mark Walsh, May 9, 2025
4 min read
Young girl holding a small, drooping flag standing in a crowd of people.
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Social Studies Opinion Patriotism Done Right: We Can't Lecture Teens Into Loving Our Country
Many teachers long to restore students’ trust in our institutions—but how we do so matters.
Fernande Raine & Susan Rivers, April 16, 2025
5 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion How to Empower Students Right Now, According to a Teacher
With social and political unrest, teachers must draw from the past to help students understand the world today.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 28, 2025
5 min read
Illustration of Uncle Sam contemplating a public school building.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + DigitalVision Vectors + iStock/Getty Images
Federal Opinion No One Should Want the Federal Government Dictating Civics Education
Whether or not you support President Trump’s plan to end “radical indoctrination” in schools, there’s a larger issue at stake.
David J. Bobb, March 6, 2025
4 min read
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