Often called “the father of American education,” Horace Mann argued that free, standardized schooling was key to self-governance, calling education the “great equalizer of the conditions of men.” A curriculum emphasizing the understanding of civics was core to that argument. Up until the 1960’s, American high schools required up to three courses in government and civics but in the last half century, civics education has been eroding.

Since 2014, students at the eighth-grade level in the United States have been experiencing declines in civics and US history scores. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NAEP) the average score in history dropped five points between 2018 and 2022 and less than a quarter of eighth graders were at or above the proficient level in civics. A 2022 civics assessment known as the Nation’s Report Card recorded the lowest recorded score since 1998.

Both politicians and educators are making efforts to strengthen civics education nationally. From Maine to Oklahoma and across the country, legislators are passing bills to increase the teaching of civics from elementary school into college.