Americans flunking out on civics

Can you name the three branches? Most can’t.

You’d think a nation that’s almost 250 years old would know itself better.

On Sept. 22, The Press published an article about a University of South Carolina government professor and former West Point instructor who for years has required students to take the same civics citizenship test given to immigrants. Typically, about a third pass it. The rest, he said, “are just clueless.”

By multiple measures, we’re failing civics at alarming rates. Citizens who don’t know how government works aren’t likely to make the best decisions for the country, if they vote at all.

Consider recent report cards. 

Three branches: In an annual survey by University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center, fewer than half of U.S. adults (47%) could name all three branches of government in 2022, down from 56% in 2021. 

Diminishing civics knowledge also corresponded with declining public engagement and trust. According to a 2021 Gallup poll, only 5%, 13% and 16% of Americans have a “great deal” of confidence in Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidency, respectively.

First Amendment: In Annenberg’s 2024 survey, fewer than half could name more than one of five rights protected by the First Amendment (nearly three in four named freedom of speech). Knowledge of the rest was minimal, with only 39% mentioning freedom of religion (big drop from 56% in 2021), 29% freedom of press, 27% right to assemble and 11% the right to petition the government.

One in five couldn’t name any of them.

Basic functions: In a 2024 survey of registered voters by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, more than 70% failed a basic civic literacy quiz asking the three branches of government, the number of Supreme Court justices and other basic functions. Only half could identify the government branch where bills become law. 

As bad as all that sounds, imagine the civics scores covering state and local government, with greater impacts on everyday life. 

States and leaders across the political spectrum are taking notice. A small but growing number have begun to require public college students to complete a civics requirement. Civics — the study of citizens’ rights and responsibilities — fosters a sense of unity and an ability to deal with disagreement, say civics education advocates.

Catching it in college is a positive step, but not broad enough. Statistics vary according to years, age groups and questions asked (degree completion versus “some college”), but by most measures at least half of American adults don’t attend college. So to improve even the most basic understanding of our own government, others are focusing on middle and high school.

According to research reported in the May 6, 2024, American Bar Association Journal, 31 states currently require a one-semester high school civics course and only six require a full-year course (Idaho requires students to pass a civics test before high school graduation, leaving some details up to districts). The rest either have no civics requirement or include some instruction in another class.

At the middle-school level, only five states still require a dedicated civics course, and 24 include a little elsewhere. Twenty states have no required middle school civics instruction.

We used to do better, but sometimes good intentions leave problems in their wake. According to the ABA research, the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001 led to increased instruction time devoted to reading, math and standardized test prep. Combined with later emphasis on STEM, what suffered most in the time swap were civics, history and humanities.

As one researcher for the U.S. Chamber Foundation study said of our democracy, “Put plainly, you can't fix what you don't understand.” 

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Sholeh Patrick, J.D. is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email sholeh@cdapess.com.