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We are North Carolina high school students. While we come from different backgrounds and have opposing political viewpoints, we strongly agree that civic literacy is fundamental for the current and future success of our students, schools, businesses, communities, state, and nation.

Civic learning is critical for us as students. When we have opportunities to learn how our governments and communities work, understand the big issues connected to civic decision-making, and know where to find — and how to use — good sources of civic information, we gain knowledge, experience, and opportunity for success now and into our futures.

Unfortunately, across our state and country, young people are not provided enough class time or resources to understand and become meaningfully involved in civic life. This impacts us — all of us — now and for the future.

The value of civic literacy

Civic education, both in the classroom and outside of school, is chronically underfunded, under-prioritized, and overlooked. In 2019, the federal government spent about $50 per student for STEM education compared to just 5 cents per student for civic education. Likewise, in response to a records request earlier this year, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction confirmed that it budgets zero dollars for K-12 civic education. The message is clear: preparing young people for civic leadership hasn’t been a priority. That needs to change.

Other states have expanded and strengthened civic learning across K-12. Some, like Virginia and Georgia, created a civic seal, a credential for students who demonstrate excellence in civic learning, participation, and leadership; or in Tennessee, recognizing schools demonstrating a commitment to civic education. Several states, including Florida, have appropriated funds to professionally develop and recognize civics teachers. We would like to see these things happen for students and teachers in our state.

Our younger students, especially those in elementary school, receive less time for social studies than other subjects. However, there are many research papers and studies showing the value of civic education. Social studies can help students to improve content knowledge and comprehension for literacy, reading, speaking, writing, and listening. Civic education helps students to connect real world experiences with classroom learning and foster 21st century skills. This best practice improves outcomes among students of all ages.

As teens, we are concerned that politics is increasingly divisive. While it will take political steps to strengthen policies, the teaching of civics should not be a political act, but rather one based on education and student-focused outcomes.

Lead with us

What can you do? As youth, we say: lead with us.

As students, we call on each other to:

Build our civic literacy – we all need to understand how our government works – especially at the state and local levels – be able to analyze news and civic information and communicate our ideas and views effectively and civilly.
Lead, volunteer, and serve now, as youth – we can serve in school and civic leadership roles, volunteer and give to nonprofits, and build our networks.
Be a civic leader into the future – pursue public service, vote, and lead in our neighborhoods, schools, organizations, workplaces, and government

We call on our adult leaders to:

Invest in civic education – increase time all K-12 students spend on civic learning, provide more training and support for teaching civic literacy, and reprioritize civic education in public and private funding decisions.
Include youth in decision-making – expand youth roles on nonprofit boards and in government, mentor and share networks with emerging civic leaders, consider how youth voices and ideas can help strengthen policymaking.
Expand civic opportunity – reinforce how civically engaged youth aren’t only learning about voting: through civics we can build our networks, increase economic mobility and college access, and develop skills and workforce readiness across all career pathways.

Civic Learning Week 2025

We are fortunate to have access to and benefit from great civic learning and leadership opportunities, both in our schools and through North Carolina programs such as GenerationNation, NC Civics Coalition, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council and local youth councils in cities and towns across the state, NC Youth Legislative Assembly, 4H, being a Governor’s Page, YMCA Youth and Government, Girls State (or Boys State), volunteering with Board of Elections, and other activities.

We encourage policymakers, leaders, and everyone to lead with us: Let’s work together to ensure that every K-12 student in our state has access to high quality civic education at school and in our communities. Now is the perfect time to start.

Civic Learning Week, March 10-14, 2025, is a national effort to highlight and prioritize civic education. In North Carolina, join us on March 12 for a youth-led discussion with NC education policymakers, engage with NC Civics Coalition, or read Gov. Stein’s proclamation.