Civics
Curriculum
Opinion
There’s a Better Way to Teach Digital Citizenship
Many popular resources for digital-citizenship education only focus on good online behavior. That’s a problem.
Social Studies
Opinion
How Can Civics Education Safeguard Democracy?
The purpose of civics education must be about more than just getting students to vote.
Teaching
Opinion
Don't Ignore Polarization in Classroom Election Discussions
Down-ballot races, not just the presidential one, offer robust learning opportunities from math to maps.
Social Studies
Teaching the 2024 Election: Learning Opportunity or Landmine?
As the presidential campaign heats up and school starts soon, social studies teachers weigh in on whether and how to cover it in class.
Teaching
Opinion
Strategies for Teaching the 2024 Election (Hold on to Your Hat)
Even before entering into the content, craft agreements with students on the boundaries of what's up—and what's not up—for debate.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
What Does the Dangerous Political Climate Mean for Schools?
Educators and researchers offer advice for navigating political polarization in the classroom.
Social Studies
Opinion
Mister Rogers Showed Me How to Teach Civics
Learning civics can begin in kindergarten with the simple understanding that we are all part of a community. Here’s what that looks like.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
The Policy Concerns That Keep Teachers Up at Night
Efforts are spreading to restrict what topics are allowed to be taught. There are ways teachers can resist the censorship.
Social Studies
Help Students Register to Vote, Education Department Urges Schools
Schools and universities can help get students registered to vote and help adolescents develop regular voting habits.
Social Studies
How Schools Can Prepare Students to Vote for the First Time
Students want more practical information about voting to prepare them for the polls.
Social Studies
Should Students Vote for School Boards? The Case for Lower Voting Ages in Local Elections
Doing so can give students more time to build lifelong voting habits, some advocates say.
Social Studies
What the Research Says
Civics Is About Skills, Not Just Facts. How Do Schools Measure Students' Readiness?
Most state assessments aren't testing how students civically engage in their communities, a new report finds.
Law & Courts
What Sandra Day O'Connor Did to Shape School Law and Civics Education
O'Connor wrote influential opinions on affirmative action, Title IX, and other education issues. Then she tirelessly worked on civics.
International
What the Research Says
It's Not Just U.S. Students. Civics Scores Have Dropped Around the World
Eighth graders are less engaged and knowledgeable about government than they were before the pandemic, a global study finds.