Reviving Civic Knowledge Seen as Key to Preserving the American Dream
An essay argues that declining historical and civics education threatens America’s future and proposes mandatory citizenship tests for graduation.
The column warns that the greatest danger to the American dream lies in a loss of civilizational confidence, driven by a generation that lacks knowledge of its own history and institutions. Recent data show eighth-grade NAEP history and civics scores dropping for the first time since 1998, with only a small fraction of students reaching proficiency. The author links this educational decline to broader societal cynicism and reduced willingness to invest in the country's future.
He highlights Arizona’s 2015 law requiring a citizenship-based civics exam for high-school graduation, noting that 14 states now follow suit. The piece argues that such requirements create a shared civic threshold, reinforcing a sense of inheritance and motivating citizens to defend and expand the nation’s achievements. Ultimately, the essay calls for deliberate transmission of historical knowledge as a foundation for renewed national confidence.
Why it matters
Understanding history and civics is presented as essential for maintaining civic engagement and economic prosperity.
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