Can better civics lessons strengthen democracy? These teachers hope so
The room had no windows, the coffee ran low and nobody was getting paid extra to be there. Yet, on a sunny Saturday in Knoxville, six rural teachers spent hours discussing the U.S. Constitution, civil
discourse and the challenges of teaching civics. For Rebecca Smart, it was exactly where she wanted to be.
Smart is one of five educators deployed by the National Constitution Center this year to expand access to constitutional learning and civic education to rural and remote educators. It's especially important for Smart, a self-identified civics nerd and history teacher, in the nation's 250th anniversary year.
"It's gotten people to really engage with history again and engage with the Constitution again and engage with their rights and responsibilities," Smart told Knox News. "I think it really provides a good opportunity for not only us to communicate with teachers and students, but also communities."
Teachers across the nation are being equipped with tips and tools to moderate conversations and lessons on aspects of the Constitution, including the First and Fourth Amendments and religious freedom. They're also gaining access to essential materials − such as interactive exhibits, lesson plans, podcasts and videos − to distribute to students and fellow educators.
"So many teachers just don't know that these things exist unless they're willing to give up their time and go to things like this," said Billie McBride, a Cheatham County school librarian and former history teacher.
What is civics education?
Civics education is the study of the civil and political rights and obligations of people in a society. In the U.S., students − usually in social studies or history courses − are taught about the reasons behind the nation's founding, the writing of the Constitution and the branches of government.
Literacy in civics has declined greatly in recent decades. A 2024 study from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that more than 70% of Americans failed a basic U.S. civic literacy quiz − and one in three respondents did not know there are three branches of government. States have decreased instructional time for subjects like social studies after federal funding was tied to English and math test scores in the early 2000s.
High school students in Tennessee are only required to take a semester-long civics course and must pass an exam based on the naturalization test. Only a few states offer a yearlong course, including Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia, according to iCivics.
Civics education is not a lesson in politics
Leaving her native state of Texas and her 22-year teaching career was an easy decision for Smart. A product of teachers herself, Smart has always been a fan of civics.
"My dad was a huge history nerd and we would go on family road trips," she said. "It just gave me an appreciation for history and understanding our role in the world and the country."
That was the initial "spark" for Smart. She continued to fall in love with civics when she realized the power it had with her students.
"I like to empower kids with what their opportunities are," she explained. "It was never my goal as a teacher to teach kids what to think, but just how to think."
Smart knows effective civics education does not include touching on current politics. Rather, it's to encourage students to think for themselves as they learn about historical events. And that's why Smart places educators in the students' role as they learn to adapt lessons for elementary, middle and high school audiences.
"A strong civics education is understanding the (Constitution) and understanding the foundations that we come from," Smart explained, "and then being able to engage in civil dialogue with people who might have different perspectives than you."
Caitlyn Meisner is the K-12 education reporter for Knox News. Email tips and story ideas to caitlyn.meisner@knoxnews.com.