In an era of political polarization and widespread civic illiteracy, an unlikely group is spearheading a movement to reinvigorate American democracy: middle school students.
More than 6,000 students across the U.S. devoted countless hours to prepare for the National Civics Bee this year. The stark reality is that civic education in America has been neglected for decades. According to the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, only a third of adults would pass the civics exam required for U.S. citizenship. Even more alarming, the Annenberg Public Policy Center reports that nearly one-fifth of Americans can’t name a single branch of government.
The outlook is equally grim for the younger generation. The 2022 Nation’s Report Card revealed that a mere 22% of eighth-graders are proficient in civics.
We’re facing a civic crisis. The National Civics Bee, launched in 2022 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, is one of the most innovative responses to this challenge. The Civics Bee is nonpartisan, apolitical — and needed in these divisive times.
The Civics Bee’s impact extends beyond competition day. This knowledge equips them for a lifetime of active citizenship.
“Before the National Civics Bee, I thought that maybe I could do a bit of volunteer work, but other than that, it was mainly the government’s job [to solve problems],” Washington state champion Benjamin Wu said. “But now I know that there’s a lot of things that I and other people like me can do to help our community.”
Following another fraught election, the importance of civic literacy cannot be overstated. The success of the National Civics Bee should serve as a call to action. We need to champion similar initiatives, advocate for robust civics programs in our schools, and commit to enhancing our civic knowledge.
Our democracy faces numerous challenges, from misinformation to apathy. But if we follow the lead of these civic-minded youngsters, we might secure a brighter future for our republic. After all, an informed and engaged citizenry is the bedrock of a thriving democracy.
Hanna Skandera is the president and CEO of the Daniels Fund and former Secretary of Public Education of New Mexico. Michael Carney is the president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.