Play & Learn
Teach
Home >
Educator Blog >

Help Our Fellows Learn About the State of Civic Education

  • Teaching with iCivics

Help Our Fellows Learn About the State of Civic Education

How do you define “civics” or “civic education”? The Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship is calling on all students across the country to help answer this question and provide insight into the current state of civic education.

The Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship launched the #CivicsForUS Listening Tour as an online survey open to all students in 6th grade through college. This anonymous survey will help our Youth Fellows learn more about what their peers across the country are experiencing regarding civic education. Fellows will use this data to continue highlighting the need for civic education that is equitable and relevant to all students in the United States.

“The Listening Tour will allow us to gather insight regarding the state of civic education in our country. We will be more informed on the similarities and differences within our communities and inspired with a sense of problem-solving as we strive to examine ways to make civics education equitable.” -Sophie Schmidt, Equity in Civics Youth Fellow from Mississippi.

Our Youth Fellows have been busy sharing this nationwide survey with their communities. So far, we have collected more than 300 responses from students across 29 states, Washington D.C, and Puerto Rico. However, we need your help to reach as many students as possible. The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete and will be open until April 15, 2022

As a former social studies teacher, I would encourage other educators to share this survey with their students. This survey will allow students to lend their unique voices to the conversation surrounding high-quality, equitable civic education. Our youth are important stakeholders in their civic education, and their experiences can help organizations like iCivics see what matters to students.

Whether you have your students complete the survey as a bellringer or encourage them to complete it outside of class, you will help our Youth Fellows learn more about the state of civic education across the nation and take the best steps toward achieving an equitable education.

Written by Michael Reyes

Born in Miami, Florida, Michael has nearly three years of teaching experience in his hometown. At iCivics, Michael manages the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship and the Youth As Civics Experts Network. He supports our Youth Fellows in finding and using their voices towards their civic passion, a similar experience he went through in high school.

Back to Educator Blog

Explore more from the educator blog

  • Teaching with iCivics
Lower the Temperature: How Amanda Perschall Teaches Hard Things

When I first saw the We Can Teach Hard Things initiative roll out from iCivics, I laughed. No, really, I chuckled pretty loudly. It’s a little unclear if I was laughing because of my students or because of myself. There’s a sign on my board that reads “You can do

Read more
  • Teaching with iCivics
Patrick’s students explore natural rights with Civic Star Challenge

Recently, my political science class participated in the Civic Star Challenge. Jumping off the iCivics Enlightenment Mini-Lesson, we took on the idea of natural rights. Now I admit that, as with many civics concepts, the subject can come across as very dry. But after defining the Lockean approach, I threw

Read more
  • Teaching with iCivics
High Schoolers use Private i Lesson to Teach Kindergarteners

For elementary teachers, time is precious. How and what they teach is constantly balanced between the important and the urgent. Oftentimes, social studies is pushed aside—taught only if there’s time left in the day. But there’s a lot elementary teachers can do to teach civics and promote good civic practices.

Read more