Civics

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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
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
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
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
5 min read
Photo of students taking exam on laptops.
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Student Achievement History Achievement Falls to 1990s Levels on NAEP; Civics Scores Take First-Ever Dive
Eighth graders' scores in U.S. history and civics dropped on the test known as the “Nation’s Report Card."
Sarah Schwartz, May 3, 2023
8 min read
Tenth-grader Emma Preston listens intently during civics class at Chatham Central High School in Bear Creek, N.C., on Nov. 5, 2019. The class is debating whether President Trump should be impeached. The House impeachment inquiry into Trump’s dealings with Ukraine has become a teachable moment in classrooms around the country as educators incorporate the events in Washington into their lesson plans.
Tenth-grader Emma Preston listens intently during civics class at Chatham Central High School in Bear Creek, N.C., on Nov. 5, 2019.
Allen G. Breed/AP
Social Studies Florida Pays Teachers $3K For Completing Civics Training. How It Compares to Other States
As interest in civics education grows across the country, debates remain over what it should entail.
Ileana Najarro, May 2, 2023
13 min read
Image of voting and party lines.
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Social Studies What Do Gen Z Voters Care About Most? A Survey Offers Insights
The findings have implications for schools: Gen Z wants more civic opportunities in school and better information to shape their decisions.
Evie Blad, February 16, 2023
3 min read
Cyndi Tercero, family and community engagement manager for the Phoenix Union High School Districts, pictured at a distribution event for students and families in need at Carl Hayden High School in west Phoenix, Ariz., on Jan. 13, 2023.
Cyndi Tercero-Sandoval, the family and community engagement manager for the Phoenix Union High School District, helps out at a food distribution event for students and families in need at Carl Hayden High School in west Phoenix, Ariz.
Ash Ponders for Education Week
Budget & Finance Leader To Learn From Giving Students a Say in School Spending? A District Leader's Bold Idea Pays Off
Cyndi Tercero-Sandoval's initiative empowers students by allowing them to vote on how portions of their school's budgets will be spent.
Mark Lieberman, February 6, 2023
9 min read
Collaged illustration of various United States history events, icons, and people.
Vanessa Solis/EdWeek + Getty Images
Social Studies Opinion Teachers Are First Responders in an Ugly Partisan Divide
A middle school teacher argues that an investment from the federal government in civic education can help restore a common sense of purpose.
Jacob Goodwin, January 25, 2023
4 min read
Assessment Spotlight Spotlight on Assessment
This Spotlight will help you examine updated testing guidance from the U.S. Dept. of Ed, analyze college-placement test scores, and more.

January 17, 2023
photo collage of American Flag, Capitol building and the United States Constitution
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Social Studies Bipartisan Civics and History Guidelines Get a Dose of Federal Funding
The money will go toward curating curriculum and providing professional development for teachers.
Sarah Schwartz, January 11, 2023
4 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
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Social Studies Opinion What Did the House Speaker Fight Mean? An Education in Civics Can Explain
Teaching students why the House speaker fight mattered—and how to judge the stakes and claims—is the harder part of civics education.
Rick Hess, January 11, 2023
3 min read
Voters fill out their ballots in booths on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at Petersen Residence Hall on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa.
Voters fill out their ballots in booths on Election Day in November in a student residence hall at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via AP
Social Studies Gen Z Has a Passion for Political Activism. Schools Can Nurture It
Gen Z continues to have a higher voter turnout than other young generations and schools can foster that civic interest.
Libby Stanford, January 6, 2023
7 min read
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., left, and Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., right, speaks with Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in the House chamber as the House meets for a second day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., left, and Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., right, speak with Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber in Washington. The House met for a second day on Jan. 4 to try to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress.
Alex Brandon/AP
Social Studies Speaker of the House Vote Has Teachers Discussing Another Extraordinary Political Event
Navigating students' questions in real time can help reinforce social studies skills, experts say.
Sarah Schwartz, January 5, 2023
5 min read