RALEIGH, N.C. (October 3, 2025) — The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal has released a new report, 50-State Comparison: Civics Education, authored by research and policy fellow Shannon Watkins. The report examines how states approach civics education in both high schools and colleges — and reveals significant gaps in how American students are taught the fundamentals of history and government.
Despite widespread agreement on the importance of civic knowledge in sustaining a healthy democracy, many American colleges and universities are neglecting civics education. While a handful of states or university system boards require students to study foundational documents and events in American history, most do not. Instead, students can fulfill general education requirements with niche or specialized courses unrelated to civics — leaving many graduates without a firm grasp of U.S. history, government, or constitutional principles.
The Martin Center’s new report provides a comprehensive overview of where states stand on civics requirements and how well teacher-preparation programs equip future educators to pass on civic knowledge. The findings are designed to help policymakers, university leaders, and the public evaluate institutional performance and identify areas in need of reform.
“Civics education needs to be a higher priority in many states,” said Shannon Watkins, the report’s author. “Requiring a robust civics education is possible, and doing so will benefit all students—including future teachers.”
Key Findings:
- Most states do not require civics in their colleges’ general education programs.
- Fourteen states, at either the legislative or board level, require students to take at least one course in civics.
- Most states require civics for high school graduation, but some do not require future teachers to study it sufficiently in their preparation programs.
“Knowledge of our government and the ideas on which it was founded is an essential part of responsible citizenship,” added Jenna A. Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center. “More states should make civics a required part of every undergraduate’s education.” 50-State Comparison: Civics Education is available HERE.