May – October 2024
Compiled and reviewed by Jed Ngalande and Sophia Craiutu for the Hoover Institution’s Working Group on Good American Citizenship
Books
The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America
Author: Jeffrey Rosen
Institution: National Constitution Center
Date: February 13, 2024
Summary: Rosen profiles six of the Founders—Franklin, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton—in the context of the values they advocated for and the classical Greek and Roman moral philosophers who inspired them.
What Kind of Citizen? Educating our Children for the Common Good: Volume 2
Author: Joel Westheimer
Institution: Democracy and Education at the University of Ottawa
Date: April 26, 2024
Summary: This book is an updated version of a 2015 volume discussing the importance of civic education and the democratic purpose of education. It includes an analysis of current policies and a section on how to teach children and young adults about these issues.
A Republic If We Can Teach It: Fixing America’s Civic Education Crisis
Author: David Davenport & Jeffrey Sikkenga
Institution: Hoover Institution and Ashland University
Date: May 14, 2024
Summary: Details the failings of modern civic education and how to create generations of Americans that believe in the country once more. (Emeritus Hoover fellow Davenport discusses the book here with John Batchelor.)
The Politics of Civics Education: Local Reactions to National Initiatives and State Mandates
Author: Eleni M. Mantas-Kourounis
Institution: Sacred Heart University
Date: June 10, 2024
Summary: An overview of civic education advocacy since 2000, focused on state-level implementation of new curricular frameworks, with case studies of Utah and Connecticut.
Teaching Students What It Really Means to Be American: It Provides the Key to Preserving Our Liberal Democracy
Author: Richard Kahlenberg
Institution: Progressive Policy Institute
Date: July 2024
Summary: This excellent paper offers nine strategies for rectifying today’s deficiencies in civic education: 1) Put more money and time in civic education, 2) Spend more time on life in nondemocratic countries, 3) A hopeful telling of American history, even with its flaws, 4) The end of DEI programs, 5) Teaching what is special about America, 6) Voluntary racial integration of all schools, 7) Many more community service programs in schools and nationwide, 8) Teaching (better) civil discourse, and 9) Seeking support from the federal government — but not mandates. (Kahlenberg and others discuss his work here.)
Positive Patriotism: Reigniting Love of Country
Author: J. David Pinkston
Institution: Positive Patriotism LLC
Date: July 1, 2024
Summary: Retired Navy Captain Pinkston analyzes declining patriotism, identifies causes, and provides “simple, straightforward, solutions to regain our gratitude and reverence for America.”
Civic Education in Polarized Times: NOMOS LXVI (NOMOS - American Society for Political and Legal Philosophy Book 38)
Editors: Elizabeth Beaumont and Eric Beaubohm
Institutions: New York University Press
Date: July 23, 2024
Summary: Distinguished scholars in politics, philosophy, and law discuss what civics education should contain and how it should be implemented so as to best prepare students not just in a polarized era, but for a polarized era.
How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It)
Author: Lindsey Cormack
Institution: Stevens Institute of Technology
Date: August 13, 2024
Summary: Provides data on the current state of civics in American society and in education, and argues that schools can no longer be relied upon to provide comprehensive civic education., Cormack provides a detailed framework with which parents can introduce their children to the American system of government and each citizen’s civic responsibilities.
The Rise and Fall of Civic Education: The Battle for Social Studies in a Shifting Historical Landscape
Author: Michael Learn
Date: September 16, 2024
Summary: Explores the rise of civics education in public schools and the subject’s diminishment following its merger with social sciences and history, as well as the changes in the definition and purpose of social studies throughout the years.
The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement
Author: Sharon McMahon
Date: September 24, 2024
Summary: Explores the stories of 12 Americans from the Founding to the Civil Rights era who may not appear in the history books but whose actions shaped our nation’s history.
Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America
Author: Heather Cox Richardson
Institution: Boston College
Date: September 26, 2024
Summary: Contextualizes the tumult of the current political era by exploring the history of the conservative movement and previous periods of tumult, from the Founding era to the Civil War to Watergate.
Civic Minded: What Everyone Should Know About the U.S. Government
Author: Jeff Fleischer
Date: October 1, 2024
Summary: Intended for teenagers, this book by an independent journalist explores the function and history of government processes and programs, as well the major political and civic conversations of the current day.
Events
National Civics Bee
Summary: Three rounds of an annual competition—sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Daniels Fund—in which middle schoolers compete in “civics knowledge” tournaments, first locally, then statewide, then nationwide. The finalists from 27 states faced off in D.C. on November 12, where Alaska’s Emily Brubaker claimed victory. This Washington Post article features many of the questions in the Civics Bee and an interview with the winner.
College Presidents for Civic Preparedness
Institution: Institute for Citizens and Scholars
Date: Since August 2023
Summary: This coalition of university presidents, initiated by ICS president Rajiv Vinnakota, is devoted to preparing college students for citizenship and civic life via programming and classes that foster civic engagement.
Civic Learning Week 2024
Institution: iCivics and co-sponsors, including George Washington University
Date: March 11-15, 2024
Summary: This week-long series of events featured high-profile speakers. Participants included students, educators, policymakers, and leaders from across the country. The annual venture’s are to provide engaging civic learning opportunities and tools, educate the public on the importance of a civically engaged electorate, and provide opportunities for connection. This year’s keynote session featured a civil discussion between Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett where they discussed political polarization and civic education.
We the People: National Finals
Institution: Center for Civic Education
Date: April 13-15, 2024
Summary: The National Finals featured 48 teams from each of the continental states, competing on their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and the American government while simulating congressional hearings. The Center’s goal is to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry.
2024 Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement
Date: June 5-7, 2024
Summary: Sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, this meeting convened almost 400 faculty members, students, senior campus leaders, student affairs administrators and community partners.
Civic Season
Institution: Made By Us
Date: June 19 to July 4, 2024
Summary: This 4th annual Civic Season, a 3-week-long series of events, sought to educate Gen Z to learn from our country’s complex history to create a better future. Activities included celebrations, exhibitions, and installations at more than 500 museums and community spaces.
Educators Cohort
Date: August 2024 - May 2025
Summary: Sponsored by Civics Spirit, the Educators Cohort is a 10-month fellowship for educators to advance civic learning in their schools and communities. Designed for teams of 2-3 from U.S. schools or faith-based organizations that work with teenage students, the program provides an in-person summer institute of text-based seminars, then six virtual coaching sessions to help participants implement their civic education goals, followed by a gathering where they share the design and outcomes of their work.
Civic Learning Institute: Strengthening Civic Education
Date: October 7, 2024 – August 7, 2025
Summary: Led by Harvard University Professor Danielle Allen, the Institute offers a series of nine short on-line courses, mostly intended for educators, all of them aligned with the “Roadmap” of Educating for American Democracy. Upon finishing, participants will receive certificates of completion from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The current “course catalog” can be found here.
A Conversation on the Role of Universities in Civic Preparedness
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Date: November 7, 2024
Summary: The University of Pittsburgh hosted a conversation exploring themes dealing with the role of young people in democracy and increasing trust and communication with American institutions. This was part of the university’s “Year of Discourse and Dialogue” project for the 2024-25 academic year.
National Summit on Civics Education
Institution: Jack Miller Center
Date: November 14-15, 2024
Summary: The third annual gathering hosted by the JMC for the nation’s top civic education leaders to discuss current challenges and changes in the field.
Annual Conference on Citizenship: Renewing Civic Health
Institution: National Conference on Citizenship
Date: December 10, 2024
Summary: The first of these conferences was hosted in 2013. The 2024 event conference aims to inspire civic action by gathering leaders and institutions to discuss how to increase American citizenship and engagement.
Research Papers
A Nation at Risk +40: A Review of Progress in Public Education
Author: Hoover Education Success Initiative
Institution: Hoover Institution
Date: December 12, 2023
Summary: Inspired by the 1983 report A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform, this 14-author report analyzes 40 years of education reform, evaluates the present state of education, and presents recommendations to policymakers.
As part of this work, Hoover’s Steve Bowen created a self-assessment tool to help policymakers ensure the success of their education reform efforts.
New Study Finds Alarming Lack of Civic Literacy Among Americans
Institution: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Date: February 12, 2024 (study release)
Summary: A survey of 2000 registered voters conducted in late 2023 found that over 70% of Americans could not answer fundamental questions on the three branches of government—including, but not limited to, the number of Supreme Court justices.
Policy Knowledge in the Public
Author: Michael Boskin, Douglas Rivers
Institution: Hoover Institution
Date: April 24, 2024
Abstract: This paper explores public understanding of the key facts and data necessary to understand major public policy debates confronting voters. The YouGov survey of 2,000 households reveals substantial inaccurate information and self-admitted lack of basic factual knowledge among voters. It also reveals a widespread desire for more reliable, factual information that respondents believe would most benefit themselves and others on important fiscal issues, education, voting laws, inequality, immigration and climate.
Defending Civic Space in the United States: Lessons Learned Around the World
Author: Saskia Brechenmacher
Institution: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Date: May 9, 2024
Summary: In a context of democratic erosion, civil society organizations in the United States may learn from the experiences of civic activists in backsliding democracies in other countries.
Assessing the Civic Campus: The Link Between Higher Education and Democracy
Authors: Ioana G Hulbert and Deidre Harkins
Institution: Ithaka S+R; also sponsored by American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Date: June 4, 2024
Summary: This paper analyzes recent research on civic education in colleges, finding no consistent definition of civic education, studies focused on voting frequency as a measure of outcomes, studies that rarely measured civic education over time, and a consistent pattern of STEM majors less civically engaged than humanities majors.
When and Why did America Stop Teaching Civics
Author: Liam Julian
Institution: Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy
Date: September 2024
Summary: An in-depth analysis of the decline of civics education since the 1960s and analysis of the factors that led to this, that continue this cycle, and the observable results in younger generations of Americans.
Reflections on Citizenship’s Obligations
Author: John H. Stout
Institution: American Bar Association
Date: September 20, 2024
Summary: This article discusses the importance of recognizing citizen’s obligations to their community in addition to their rights. Written as a commentary on Richard Haass’s 2023 book, The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens, author Stout lays out his own 10 essential habits for good citizenship and offers his view of civic engagement.
Exploring Public Perception of News and Citizenship and Its Relationship with News Use
Author: Heesook Choi
Institution: Journalism Practice (journal published by Taylor & Francis)
Date: October 2024
Summary: This paper discusses a research study analyzing how Americans perceive news and citizenship and how they view the interactions between them. For example, do people believe it is their civic duty to read the news? The author concludes that Americans expect their news sources to be fair and factual and continue to value the role the news plays in American democracy. However, the author also finds that the American people think the media is biased and not fulfilling its role as a representation of democratic citizenship.
Democracy, Bargaining, and Education
Author: Josiah Ober & Brook Manville
Institution: A Journal of Politics and Society
Date: October 25, 2024
Summary: This report explores the relationships among democratic governance, the process of bargaining for different interests, and the role of higher education in fostering civic engagement. It extends many of the ideas set forth In Ober and Manville’s important 2023 book The Civic Bargain.
The Civic Bargain calls for democratic renewal based on a countrywide commitment to a “civic bargain” of freedom, equality, and dignity rooted in compromise, civic friendship, and investment in civic education.
Guide to Civic Measurement: Using Mapping Civic Measurement in Your Community
Institution: The Institute for Citizens and Scholars
Date: October 30, 2024
Summary: Based on the Institute’s 2023 report mapping civic measurement, this report guides readers on applying that methodology to assess civic knowledge and engagement in communities and spaces of their choice.
Educational Materials
Civics 101 Podcast
Date: Since 2017
Institution: New Hampshire Public Radio
Summary: The episodes explore different topics relating to America’s history and civics. The goal is to offer a refresher on the process of how government works.
PBS Learning Media: Civics Collection
Institution: PBS WHYY
Date: Updating throughout 2024
Summary: A collection of interactive lessons, explanatory videos and documentaries that teach middle schoolers and high schoolers the foundations of American government, democracy, society, civic engagement and civil discourse.
Civic Intelligence: Empowering America’s Youth
Author: John Minkler
Date: February 15, 2024
Summary: Describes 53 years of civic education and youth engagement, with the goal of inspiring educators and communities to prioritize the teaching of democratic principles and shared civic values in schools.
Democracy Inventory Project | American Association of Colleges and Universities and Campus Compact
Institution: The American Association of Colleges and Universities
Date: June 10, 2024
Summary: Announces a joint initiative aiming to strengthen higher education efforts in pursuit of a stronger democracy. The design team will be led by Hoover’s Thomas Schnaubelt and Karina Kloos.
Bella’s Tales of History: Tales of USA’s Founding Documents
Author: Deb Evans
Date: July 28, 2024
Summary: Aimed at young children, in this storybook Bella comforts her puppies during July 4th fireworks with tales about America’s founding and the founding documents.
Bring Back “Liberty's Kids”
Author: Chester E. Finn Jr.
Institution: Thomas B. Fordham Institute
Date: August 15, 2024
Summary: Finn calls for a revival of civic and history-centered videos targeted toward children and intended to instill passion for the foundation and progress of this nation as well as greater understanding of its past. He cites the 2002-03 series Liberty’s Kids as a prime example, also pointing to an animated Disney series on the most consequential presidents, the White House Historical Association’s profiles of the nation’s “first children,” and Armchair History TV’s historical series targeted toward high schoolers.
iCivics
Date: August 18, 2024
iCivics has renovated its website, putting its ample stock of educational resources front and center, offering activities and services tailored to students, teachers, administrators and families. (The son and grandson of iCivics founder Sandra Day O’Connor recalled her in conversation on October 8.)
The Restoration of Higher Learning
Author: Paul Carrese
Institution: School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University
Date: September 2, 2024
Summary: An exploration of how universities can restore American confidence in higher education and harness youth activism without falling into ideological extremes.
Ours to Solve, Once—and for All: Securing the Outcomes Our Students Need
Author: Education Futures Council
Institution: Hoover Institution
Date: October 2024
Summary: This report from a blue-ribbon group chaired by Hoover director Condoleezza Rice, analyzes fundament shortcomings in today’s public education that diminish student outcomes and proposes a new overarching approach that prioritizes results, minimizes mandates, and promotes incentives.
Election
Restoring America’s Common Enterprise
Author: Peter Berkowitz
Institution: Hoover Institution
Date: October 27, 2024
Summary: Berkowitz calls for the civics educators to restore the confidence of America’s young in the common enterprise of defending the core principles of our liberal democracy, despite the deep political disagreements of modern times.
In Defense of the Electoral College
Author: Paul Peterson
Institution: Hoover Institution and Harvard University
Date: October 30, 2024
Summary: Peterson makes the case for the Electoral College, based both on the Founders’ reasoning and the complications that would accompany a national popular vote election.
