The vitality and viability of American democracy depends on Americans being informed and responsible citizens. Civic education and engagement are an important part of providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their duties and responsibilities as citizens.
George Washington, the “Father of His Country” and the nation’s first president, was a strong advocate for civic education. He declared: “A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?”
President John F. Kennedy recognized the importance of civic education. He declared: “What we seek to advance, what we seek to develop…are educated men and women who can bear the burdens of responsible citizenship…and encourage the people to make those decisions which can bring not only prosperity and security, but happiness to the people of the United States and those who depend upon it.”
In his 1989 Farewell Address, President Ronald Reagan asked: “Are we doing a good enough job teaching our children what America is and what she represents in the long history of the world?” His answer was no. Decades later, the challenge remains.
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, viewed civic education as vital to sustaining democracy. She famously stated: “The practice of democracy is not passed down the gene pool. It must be taught and learned by each new generation.” She put this belief into action by founding iCivics, the civic-education nonprofit she considered her most important legacy: https://vision.icivics.org/
Why is civics education needed?
Recent national surveys and polls reveal that many Americans lack the basic knowledge and skills needed to carry out their duties and responsibilities as citizens.
According to a national representative sample of adults, 30% of respondents could not name all three branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial). (Anneberg Public Policy Center, Civics Knowledge Survey, 2025)
95% of adults surveyed could not name all five of the rights protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. (Anneberg Public Policy Center, Civics Knowledge Survey, 2023)
According to a national survey of registered voters, 70% failed a civic literacy quiz about the basic functions of our democratic system of government. (US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 2024)
88% of eighth graders scored below proficient level on the national civics assessment exam, and 76% scored below proficient level on the national history assessment exam. (National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2022)
According to a national survey of young adults aged 18–29 found that 43% reported that their high school education had not prepared them to understand the importance of voting, and 64% reported that their high school education had not prepared them to research candidates and ballot issues. (Harvard Youth Poll, 2023)
