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In September, the Annenberg Public Policy Center released the results of the 2022 Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey. The study revealed many blind spots for Americans when it comes to civic knowledge but here were the highlights.
- Less than half of U.S. adults (47%) could name all three branches of government, down from 56% in 2021 and the first decline on this question since 2016.
- The number of respondents who could, unprompted, name each of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment also declined, sharply in some cases. For example, less than 1 in 4 people (24%) could name freedom of religion, down from 56% in 2021.
- Over half of Americans (51%) continue to assert incorrectly that Facebook is required to let all Americans express themselves freely on its platform under the First Amendment.
- But large numbers recognize other rights in the Bill of Rights and the veto process.
What can we do to help reverse this trend? We want to be a part of the solution. We, as an association of news publications, have a vested interest in having a civically engaged readership.
The survey found a link between high school civics classes and civics knowledge. A regression analysis showed that people who said they took high school civics were more likely to know the answers to six survey “knowledge” questions, including naming the branches of government. The same held true for people who said they were greater consumers of the news, whether print, television, or online. The resilience of our system of government is best protected by an informed citizenry. And civics education and attention to news increase that likelihood.” (Annenberg 2019).
In partnership with the Kansas Office for Judicial Administration, the Kansas Press Association will host the 2nd Annual Kansas Civics Games on April 6, 2023 in Topeka. We are limited to 22 teams. Registration openen on Dec. 1, 2022, our registration deadline is Jan. 15, 2023.
Reach out to your local social studies and government teachers, let’s work together to raise the civic learning bar while engaging your local high school students.
We are grateful for our volunteers and sponsors; League of Women Voters and Kansas National Education Association.
kspress.com/kansas-civics-games
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