Published June 3, 2025
As civic knowledge declines, so too does the strength of American democracy. Today, only 22% of eighth graders are proficient in civics, while many young Americans question the viability of democracy itself. But amid growing political and cultural battles over what should be taught, parents across the spectrum agree: students must learn the founding principles that sustain the republic. By building on this consensus and advancing decentralized, state-led reforms, America can bypass ideological gridlock, strengthen civic understanding, and secure the foundations of constitutional self-government.
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The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hoover Institution or Stanford University.
© 2025 by the Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University.
Steven Wilson, a Senior Fellow at the Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research, joins Hoover Institution fellow Paul E. Peterson to discuss Nikole Hannah-Jones’ recent essay, in which she wrestles with her decision to send her daughter to an underperforming public school.
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