Former Governors Urge States to Bolster Civics Education Amid Declining Scores

On October 23, 2026, former Tennessee Governors Lamar Alexander and Phil Bredesen published an opinion piece on Time.com, urging current U.S. governors to prioritize and strengthen civics education nationwide[1]. Their call to action highlights that only one in five eighth graders in U.S. schools reached the proficient level on the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) civics assessment[1].

This push for improved civics education comes as reports indicate a significant decline in civic knowledge among students and the general public, raising concerns about informed participation in democratic processes[8][10][11]. Governors have an immediate opportunity to address this by signing up by the end of January to receive state-specific NAEP civics assessment results, data currently unavailable for individual states[1].

What the records show

The opinion piece by Alexander and Bredesen emphasizes that U.S. students receive limited instruction in early grades on governmental functions, citizen rights, and responsibilities[1]. They pointed to the 2022 NAEP civics assessment, also known as "The Nation's Report Card," which revealed that only 20 percent of eighth graders achieved proficiency[1]. This means the majority of students likely struggle with fundamental concepts like the separation of powers and checks and balances outlined in the Constitution[1]. The 2022 assessment recorded the lowest scores since 1998, with civics scores for eighth-grade students dropping three points on average since 2018[6][7].

Alexander, who served as Tennessee's governor from 1979 to 1987, a U.S. Senator from 2003 to 2021, and U.S. Secretary of Education from 1991 to 1993, joined Bredesen, Tennessee's governor from 2003 to 2011 and Nashville's mayor from 1991 to 1999, in their public appeal[1][2][3][4]. They noted a lack of state-specific data in civics, unlike subjects such as reading and math, which disadvantages leaders seeking to improve schools[1].

The timeline

The decline in civics education is a long-standing issue. The time dedicated to civics in American public schools has significantly decreased since the 1960s[8]. Federal and state governments have often not prioritized civics education, partly due to increased focus on other subjects like STEM and initiatives such as No Child Left Behind[8][9]. This shift has resulted in younger Americans generally being less knowledgeable about civics compared to previous generations[8]. A 2022 survey found that less than half of U.S. adults, 47 percent, could name all three branches of government, a decline from 56 percent in 2021[10][17].

What changed and for whom

For students, the reduced emphasis on civics means many lack foundational knowledge about how their government operates and their roles within it[1][8]. The call from Alexander and Bredesen creates an opportunity for current governors to re-evaluate and strengthen civics curricula by first obtaining state-specific performance data[1]. This data, available to governors who sign up by the end of January, could provide a clearer picture of educational needs and guide policy changes[1]. Experts agree that strong civic education is essential for an informed citizenry, helping individuals understand their rights and responsibilities and engage in the political process[11][12].

What the subject has said publicly

In their Time.com article, Alexander and Bredesen stated, "Unlike in subjects like reading and math, we don't have state-specific information about how our own students are doing compared to students in other states in civics"[1]. They emphasized that "U.S. students get limited instruction, particularly in early grades, about how our government works, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and how to apply civics knowledge beyond the classroom"[1]. They highlighted that governors can initiate change by prioritizing and measuring student knowledge and skills in civics[1].

What we could not confirm

This report could not confirm how many governors have committed to signing up for the state-level NAEP civics assessment results by the January deadline. It also could not confirm what specific curriculum changes, if any, individual states are currently considering to address the noted decline in civics education.