The Brewing Storm: How Civics Education Can Perk Up Your Workforce

The current state of civics education in the United States is a bitter brew, one that threatens to leave future generations unprepared for the complexities of the modern workforce. Only 22% of eighth-graders are proficient in civics, leaving a significant gap in their understanding of how institutions work and decisions get made. This trend has far-reaching implications not just for democracy but also for business leaders who need employees with skills beyond technical expertise.

The National Civics Bee demonstrates that civic learning can develop the qualities employers consistently say they need most: research, communication, collaboration, persistence, and problem-solving skills. Emily Brubaker’s experience with the competition is a testament to this, as she used her knowledge to tackle a pressing public policy issue affecting her family.

Civics has been crowded out by competing academic priorities in our schools. Few states require more than one civics course, and opportunities for students to put their skills into practice are limited. Debate teams, mock trials, and mock elections are luxuries most high schools can’t afford – just 20% of schools offer the latter. This is not an accident; it reflects where we choose to invest our money.

Federal funding for STEM education dwarfs civic education by nearly a factor of 100-to-1. This should worry business leaders who already spend billions on onboarding, leadership development, and professional training. What if future employees arrived on their first day having practiced these capabilities in classrooms, communities, and civic life?

The National Civics Bee is an example of what becomes possible when civic learning is treated as an investment rather than an afterthought. As America begins its next 250 years, it’s time for employers to take notice: if we want a workforce capable of adapting to change, navigating complexity, and strengthening our communities, those capacities must be cultivated from the ground up.

The Roots of Our Problem

Civics education has been on life support for decades. The “missing infrastructure” identified in a 2022 report from the RAND Corp. highlights gaps in policies, resources, and required testing that encourage classroom instruction on civics. This is not just a matter of funding; it’s also a question of values. We’ve come to prioritize technical expertise over civic knowledge, leaving students unprepared for public discourse.

The Brewing Storm

As AI reshapes work and teenagers highlight critical thinking, fact-checking, and teamwork as essential skills, we’re facing a perfect storm. Employers are crying out for employees who can navigate complex information and make informed decisions – but our schools aren’t teaching them the necessary tools.

The Perk-Up Solution

It’s time for business leaders to take a closer look at civics education as an investment in their future workforce. By supporting programs like the National Civics Bee, we can begin to address the skills gap that threatens to derail our economy. It won’t be easy – but the alternative is a workforce unprepared for the challenges ahead.

A citizenry educated in its liberties was seen by the nation’s founders as the precondition for a healthy republic. Today, we’re still waiting on that promise. But with civics education as a catalyst for change, perhaps we can finally perk up our workforce and give future generations the skills they need to succeed – not just in the workplace but also in their communities and democracies.