Abysmal civics and history scores reveal a generation unprepared for the task of self-government

The latest data from the Nation’s Report Card are disastrous . Eighth grade students’ proficiency in U.S. history and civics dropped to the lowest point since the exams were first administered in 1998. U.S. history scores declined from 263 in 2018 to 258 on a 0-300 scale, and civics scores fell from 153 in 2018 to 150, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or the NAEP.

These numbers come on the heels of last year’s NAEP report revealing devastating drops in mathematics and reading. In every academic subject, state, and grade, students are underperforming.

Extended school closures and remote learning during the pandemic are certainly to blame for much of this learning loss. But poor performance in history and civics isn’t new. In 2010, the NAEP found that just 27% of fourth graders, 22% of eighth graders, and 24% of 12th graders performed at or above the proficient level in civics. And in 2011, just 20% of fourth graders, 17% of eighth graders, and 12% of high school seniors demonstrated proficiency in U.S. history.

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