Washington, D.C. — U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation President Carolyn Cawley issued the following statement today on the release of the 2022 NAEP U.S. history and civics results, also known as the Nation's Report Card:
"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation expresses grave concern over new federal data exposing a lack of knowledge about history and civics that spans generations.
This crisis endangers our democracy, and we demand immediate action.
Civics education must become a national priority, both inside and outside the classroom.
That is why we launched the National Civics Bee that encourages children to learn civics and engage with their communities. Pilot competitions are being held in partnership with chambers of commerce in more than 50 locations across the United States.
The teaching of citizenship – along with reading and mathematics – was supposed to be a cornerstone of our education system. America has been failing in all these areas for far too long. Our children deserve better.
A strong economy is built on the foundation of informed citizens. Schools cannot do this work alone. Businesses of all sizes can help bridge the civics gap. We invite companies to join us and invest in educational programs for employees, partner with local schools, and support community learning initiatives like the National Civics Bee.
The time for action is now. We must create meaningful change beyond acknowledging the problem. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to leading this effort, collaborating with partners to prepare future generations to lead our democracy.
Our future depends on it."
The Civic Trust aims to energize and modernize America’s civic life by changing the conversation and perception of civics in classrooms, board rooms, on social media and through other platforms. It supports and engages leading national and local stakeholders in its areas of programmatic focus, including civic literacy and civics at work. The National Civics Bee is made possible through the generous support of the Daniels Fund and other funders.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation harnesses the power of business to create solutions for the good of America and the world. We anticipate, develop, and deploy solutions to challenges facing communities—today and tomorrow.
