Continuing the Momentum of Civic Learning Week 2025
Research Roundup
Member Spotlight
AI Quarterly Spotlight
On the Road with CivxNow
Civic Learning in the News
New Members
Continuing the Momentum of Civic Learning Week 2025
In an era where everything and everyone seems deeply polarized, how does a field maintain its sense of positivity, integrity, and viewpoint diversity? That was the high bar we set for this year’s Civic Learning Week, and we are proud to say the field rose to and far exceeded it. There were many ways we emerged successfully that can be instructive for our path ahead:
We showed rather than told. Our field is viewpoint diverse and believes in the power of institutions and civic learning. During Civic Learning Week we didn’t just say that, we showed it. Organizations across and outside the political spectrum highlighted this commitment to young people, pluralism, and the importance of universal access to civic learning.
We saw and appreciated educators. As a field, we believe that educators play an indispensable role as stewards and protectors of our constitutional democracy. Educators played a core role in the success of the week, leading activities in all 50 states. During Civic Learning Week our partners continued to thank our educators—from classroom teachers and Girl Scout troop leaders to museum educators and the many others on the frontlines instructing young people.
We elevated student voices and agency, locally. So many educators engaged young people to solve authentic problems and affect actual decisions locally in their schools and communities. Ultimately, that is the powerful impact of civic learning: It connects people with a sense of place and empowers them to make that place better.
Where do we go from here? We double down on these lessons, find ways to act and build. Please take a moment to complete the Civic Learning Week 2025 Feedback Form. Even if you were unable to engage in Civic Learning Week, your feedback on what support/resources might be helpful is essential to even greater success next year. Additionally, next month isNational Week of Conversation. We encourage our partners to continue to engage throughcollaborative efforts like this. We cannot rest on our laurels. Let’s take a moment to catch our breath, and then let’s get back on the field because Civic Learning Week isn’t just a week, it’s an ongoing movement.
Research Roundup:Survey Shows Strong Support for Civics in Schools
According to a University of Southern California (USC) survey of 4,200 American adults, there is near universal, bipartisan agreement that schools should prepare students to be good citizens (97% of Democrats and Republicans). However, respondents graded schools poorly on this count (29% gave an “A” or “B,” versus 34% a “D” or “F”). Since students’ civic development is such a high priority, these results provide an opening to strengthen civics instruction through state and local policies.
But first, the civic learning field must better define what teaching the subject entails. A stunning 49% of respondents claimed to know nothing about civic education, and another 45% knew “a little,” leaving only 7% knowing “a lot.”
Responses to the USC survey help color in the lines.
The vast majority of respondents supported teaching students how government works, including 95% of Republicans (R) and 94% of Democrats (D).
There is similar support for instruction on voting requirements (88% R, 90% D).
Nearly two-thirds of Republicans (64%) support the inclusion of political issues like immigration or gun control in the curriculum, as do 80% of Democrats.
Even higher numbers (75% R, 84% D) support teaching students how to get involved with local government and politics.
Perhaps most importantly, there is broad support for students debating topics from multiple perspectives (78% R, 84% D).
Respondents also prioritized civic learning activities:
Learning the U.S. Constitution earned the most support, including a majority of Republicans (59%), with 44% of Democrats also prioritizing it.
Democrats (54%) placed more emphasis on detecting online misinformation, but so did 33% of Republicans.
Rounding out the top five were evaluating arguments (23% R, 32% D), honoring veterans (35% R, 12% D), and community service (20% R, 26% D).
The USC researchers first fielded these civic education questions four years ago. This year, there was a 4% increase in Republican support across questions, virtually eliminating the partisan gap evident in 2021. This affirms broad, bipartisan support for stronger K–12 civic education and fuels the tremendous momentum across states to make it a reality.
Coalition Member Spotlight: Arizona Cardinals
What does football have to do with civic learning? In some ways, nothing, but in other ways, everything. Great professional sports organizations are deeply connected to their communities and involved in local civics, and that is certainly true of the Arizona Cardinals and their ownership group and broader community, bringing diverse stakeholders together to marshall their talents and achieve something greater as a team. That is also what we do in our democracy and our communities. It’s for this reason that we are so proud to welcome the Arizona Cardinals as the very first NFL team to join our larger coalition.
Led by owner Michael Bidwill’s vision, the Cardinals have deepened their existing commitment to civic learning by launching this partnership with CivxNow during Civic Learning Week.
Interested in learning more about the Cardinals’ work? Contact our partner, Jackie Norton of the Cardinals’ Foundation. Interested in leveraging the Cardinals’ leadership to get other franchises and leagues engaged in this work? Email CivxNow’s Director of Coalition Engagement, Ace Parsi.
AI Quarterly Spotlight
One of the challenges facing our democratic institutions is the existential question: are institutions that are designed to work slowly prepared for the sudden disruptions we’re seeing in society due to technological developments? There’s no present issue that highlights this challenge more starkly than artificial intelligence (AI), seemingly evolving by the day.
When CivxNow articulated these realities for teaching and learning in our report, Uncharted Waters, we underlined the importance of dynamic decisions adaptable to the needs of our society. While we don’t have the answers around institutions and society at large, we are grateful for the partners helping young people and educators grapple with these rapid changes in the classroom.
One example of a partner proactively addressing this is the Edward M. Kennedy (EMK) Institute. The United States Congress has been behind the curve in technology regulation since the dawn of the Internet. In light of this reality, EMK is offering immersive legislative simulations to discuss with students what kind of rules we need around AI and what constitutes its ethical use in businesses, schools, and government. They challenge students to collaborate, discuss, and debate with each other to pass a bill that represents their interests and the interests of the country as a whole. Even to those unable to participate in this program, EMK has several curriculum materials available at the bottom of this page. Finally, to ensure the civic learning implications of this work are not lost, we encourage you to use AI Literacy Day, March 28, to amplify the work you’re doing in this area.
On the Road with CivxNow
National Student Council
CivxNow Coalition Director Ace Parsi had the opportunity to present on the state of civic learning to the National Student Council gathering in DC held by coalition partner the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The group discussed how they can leverage their voices as student leaders to empower their peers, inform policymakers, and embody the very best of civic learning.
NJ Coalition Kickoff
CivicsNJ launched during Civic Learning Week on March 11 at the Newark Museum of Art in a celebration attended by 150 students, teachers, higher education institutions, community partners, policymakers, and funders. Convened by the Maher Family Foundation, Harvard’s Danielle Allen opened with an inspiring keynote. CivxNow’s Shawn Healy followed with a national landscape analysis of K–12 civics policies. The event concluded with showcases of the exciting civic learning opportunities already abundant across the Garden State. Participants left inspired to expand the coalition, further develop its governance structure, and engage in substantive policy and advocacy activities during an exciting election year in the state.
CO Coalition Kickoff
On March 3rd the Civics for Colorado Students coalition hosted its inaugural in-person kickoff meeting. This meeting aimed to spark conversations and collaboration about the future of civic education and its essential role in shaping the next generation of engaged Coloradans.
While the enthusiasm for the cause was palpable, there were also important conversations about the challenges facing the state’s educational landscape—in particular, teacher burnout and retention. Many teachers face immense pressure with limited support, leading to burnout and attrition. The coalition discussed how professional development programs can help mitigate this by offering ongoing support and fostering a sense of community among educators.
As the meeting came to a close, coalition members expressed a strong sense of determination. The collective energy was clear—there’s a shared commitment to ensuring that Colorado students receive the best civic education possible.
If you are interested in joining Civics for Colorado Students, or know someone who would be a great asset to the coalition, we invite you to get involved. Together, we can shape the future of civic education and ensure that every Colorado student is equipped to be an informed and engaged citizen.
We remain deeply appreciative of member efforts and all that we accomplish together. Our goal is to aggregate and activate large networks of support to expand and re-imagine civic education as a force for civic strength. To our members, thank you for your partnership.
If your organization is interested in joining CivxNow or in learning more, please contact us at CivxNow@icivics.org.
Our Mission
CivxNow is a coalition of partners from diverse viewpoints working to create a culture shift that elevates civic education and engagement as a national priority in order to protect and strengthen America’s constitutional democracy. This includes building a shared commitment to ensure that all young people are prepared to assume their rights and responsibilities to participate in civic life and address the issues facing students, their families, and communities in our increasingly dynamic, polarized, and digital society.
To achieve this goal, CivxNow advocates for bipartisan federal and state legislation that supports implementation of state and local policies that reimagine and deliver relevant, inclusive, and engaging K–12 civic learning, both in- and out-of-school.
A Team Effort
The CivxNow team produces this newsletter each month.
We are grateful for the energy, time, and guidance of the CivxNow Advisory Council and to many, many others who support individual projects.
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