Governors Urged to Use National Assessment to Boost Civics Education

Governors have an opportunity to significantly improve civics education by participating in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) civics assessment, also known as the Nation's Report Card. To receive state-level results, states must sign up by the end of January.

While governors often focus on improving education, measuring student performance is key to effective change. U.S. students currently receive limited instruction on how the government functions, the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and applying civics knowledge beyond the classroom, according to the assessment's creators. The most recent NAEP civics assessment revealed that only one in five eighth-graders reached the proficient level, suggesting a widespread struggle to understand fundamental concepts like the separation of powers and constitutional checks and balances.

Currently, there is a lack of state-specific data for civics, unlike in subjects such as reading and math. This absence hinders leaders in their efforts to improve schools and prepare young people for academic, professional, and community success. However, beginning in 2028, states that meet the January deadline will be able to obtain state-specific results for eighth-grade civics, offering a more detailed understanding of student performance compared to national averages.

The experience of Tennessee serves as a precedent for the value of such assessments. In 2007, low scores on the NAEP reading and math assessments prompted the state to raise K-12 expectations, increase the rigor of state tests, and enhance classroom practices. This strategy led to Tennessee becoming the fastest-improving state on NAEP between 2011 and 2015, and recently, the state ranked in the top quarter of states for reading and math achievement.

NAEP is widely considered the gold standard for educational assessments, providing a consistent measure of student learning across the country. It allows for comparisons of student performance over time and between states. While state-specific data for reading and math became publicly available in the 1980s, the opportunity to gather similar data for civics is a recent development.

By participating in the NAEP civics assessment, states can gain crucial insights into their students' civic knowledge and skills. This information is vital for developing informed policies and effective leadership aimed at strengthening civic education and preparing students for active participation in democracy.