The preamble to the U.S. Constitution with the text of the First Amendment laid over it. (Getty Images)
As Benjamin Franklin left the Constitutional Convention he was famously asked what kind of government the convention had created. His reply, “A republic, if you can keep it,” underscores a truth that resonates to this day — that our nation’s survival depends on its citizens being informed and engaged.
Yet, recent studies reveal a troubling decline in the understanding Americans have of the very foundations of our government.
There are many reasons to be concerned. A 2023 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that only 47% of Americans could name all three branches of government, a decline from the 56% two years earlier. Even more alarming, 25% couldn’t name a single branch. Another survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation shows that 70% of Americans fail a basic civic literacy test, a test which immigrants seeking citizenship pass 90% of the time.
These statistics highlight a fundamental problem in America; there is a crisis of civic literacy that threatens the very health of our democracy. Without a basic understanding of how our government functions, citizens are ill-equipped to participate in the democratic process with fidelity or hold our elected leaders accountable.
Arkansas is not immune from this national trend. While our schools and teachers work hard to prepare students for the workforce, we must also ensure they are prepared to be active and responsible citizens. Civic education is not just a subject to be taught in school; it is the cornerstone of our American republic. By increasing the amount of civic and social studies education in our schools, the Arkansas General Assembly can take a crucial step toward addressing this crisis.
Research shows that robust civic education programs make a vital difference. Students who receive high-quality instruction in social studies are more likely to vote, volunteer, and engage in their communities. They are also better equipped to identify misinformation and navigate the complexities of political discussion. In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly and trust in government institutions is waning, these skills are essential to keep America strong.
As a high school social studies teacher and the president of the Arkansas Council for the Social Studies, an organization dedicated to advocating for social studies education and supporting social studies teachers, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges educators face in delivering effective civic instruction. The priorities of the state of Arkansas and school districts lie in math, science, and English, leaving civics and other social studies courses with little time or support.
The Arkansas General Assembly has an opportunity to take the lead on this issue by investing in social studies education, especially civics, at all levels. This could mean using more historical documents at lower ages when teaching elementary students to read and in English classes.
Increasing civics from a semester course to a full year class, would give students the opportunity to actually engage with the course instead of hitting the highlights. This could also mean educational co-ops and schools providing more professional development to help teachers include more social studies resources at all levels and courses. By doing so, Arkansas can equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to sustain our democracy.
Franklin’s warning reminds us that our republic is not self-sustaining. It requires the effort, vigilance and education of our citizens. The alarming gaps in civic knowledge revealed by recent studies should serve as a wake-up call.
The Arkansas General Assembly must act to ensure that our students are prepared to “keep” the republic that Franklin and the other Founding Fathers worked so hard to establish.