Civic literacy in the United States has been declining rapidly over time.
Only 24% of American adults can name all three branches of government.
Only 1 in 4 U.S. eighth-graders perform at or above the proficient level in civics.
Only 39 of 50 U.S. states require students to take a course in civics or government.
There are many factors that contribute to this degradation in civic knowledge.
Lack of Trust in Government: Current and historic actions taken by governmental institutions have eroded public confidence in their ability to meet the needs of citizens.
Economic Inequality: Economic disparities that can limit access to quality education and civic participation opportunities among marginalized communities.
Educational Priorities: Shifts in educational priorities away from civics and social studies in favor of subjects perceived as more essential for standardized testing and career readiness.
Political Polarization: Heightened political polarization and partisan media environments that may discourage individuals from seeking balanced civic information or engaging in civil discourse.
Funding and Resources: Insufficient funding and resources allocated to civics education, leading to outdated materials, limited teacher training, and inadequate classroom resources.
CivicsEDU was founded upon the principle that everyone should have equitable access to comprehensive civic knowledge.
It is our mission to ensure that civic literacy remains a top priority in the Central Carolinas community.
We aim to work with local governments, educational institutions, corporate partners, and community members to develop programs that will encourage civic participation while safeguarding democracy for future generations to come.
Join us on this transformative journey in civic education. Become a partner and empower our mission to make a lasting impact. With your help, we can accomplish anything!
