Attention to civics education often spikes during election years, as educators collectively wonder if they’ve done enough to prepare young people to become informed voters. That’s important, of course, but focusing on civics education only during federal election cycles misses a broader purpose: understanding how government works 365 days a year, fueling engagement over cynicism and offering young people the skills to solve common problems together.
The recent turbulence in government — including widespread restructuring of federal agencies, executive orders with immediate public impact and shifts in longstanding policies — offers a crucial opportunity. Rather than disengage in frustration, teachers and education leaders should seize this moment to deepen civic literacy, ensure that communities understand how government functions and empower citizens to be active participants in self-governance. With headlines dominated by government upheaval, now is the time to turn confusion into curiosity and curiosity into community involvement. The more people understand the roles of the three branches of government, the function of federal and state agencies and their own rights, the better equipped they are to engage as citizens
Civics education is most effective when state and local officials, both elected and appointed, are open to input, feedback and participation by constituents, allowing students to see firsthand how citizen engagement leads to real outcomes. Nationally, state and local governments employed approximately 19.6 million people in March 2023, an increase from 19.2 million in 2022. This demonstrates that the vast majority of government operations occur at the state and local levels, not in Washington, D.C. The teachers in public schools, the sanitation workers who keep streets clean, the public health officials who guide communities through crises all are part of local governance. When young people see how these systems work, they realize government is not an abstract institution; it’s the infrastructure of daily life.
Generation Citizen, the education nonprofit organization I lead, has long worked to engage students in community-based civic learning. Through research and projects that address real issues, students interact with elected officials and government agencies at the city and state levels, building critical problem-solving skills while making a tangible impact. For example, a group of high school students from Urban Assembly Institute for Math and Science for Young Women in Brooklyn, New York, used community-based civics to tackle tensions between youth and law enforcement. They launched a project to improve police-student relationships through open dialogue and policy recommendations, demonstrating how civic learning can lead to real change. More than just casting a ballot, participating in self-government involves talking to neighbors about issues, organizing with peers and attending school board or town council meetings. The confidence students gain in these settings gets put to use in job interviews, workplace conversations and, ultimately, in boardrooms.
These actions also cultivate skills that translate across all areas of life, from public speaking to teamwork and collaboration. They are the foundation of an engaged society and a functioning democracy.
The stakes of neglecting a robust civics education are high, risking a more polarized society if people are unable to learn how to communicate across lines of difference, listen deeply, persuade effectively and reach consensus on solutions. The consequences also include erosion of everyday skills that Americans need to function in the workplace and, more globally, in the marketplace. These abilities ought not to be mere add-ons to secondary school curriculums.
As the nation navigates these uncertain times, civic literacy must become mainstream and hands-on — something that is as fundamental to education as learning in a science lab. American democracy is a tapestry woven from generations of participation and action. This is a moment to add to it, not let it unravel. The next generation of leaders needs the tools and skills to repair that fraying fabric. That means schools, policymakers and communities must prioritize experiential learning, ensuring that students engage in civic participation before they reach voting age.
Educators have long understood that the best way to prepare students for careers in science and medicine is through labs and hands-on experiments, not just by reading a textbook. The same is true for civics. If this country wants an engaged, informed citizenry, schools and government alike must provide young people (and adults) with opportunities to practice democracy in real time. Now is not the time to tune out. It’s time to lean in, learn more and take action.