Today marks Constitution Day—a moment to celebrate the 238 years since 39 members of the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia. But this year's commemoration comes with a unique opportunity to strengthen the very foundation of American representative democracy: civics education.
The Current State of Civics Education
While Washington state requires all public and private high school students to study the U.S. Constitution to graduate (RCW 28A.230.170), and federal law mandates that institutions receiving federal funds commemorate Constitution Day (Section 111), these requirements haven't translated into robust civic knowledge. Schools across the state are finding creative ways to mark the day (see examples here, here, and here), yet the broader challenge remains.
Despite mandates in Washington and other states, students aren't developing the solid civic foundation our country needs. The evidence is clear: civics education requires urgent attention (see comprehensive coverage here, here, here, here, here, and here).
Bipartisan Support Meets Educational Reality
Americans across the political spectrum recognize this crisis. A national poll released earlier this year revealed remarkable bipartisan consensus: nine out of 10 Democrats and Republicans support students learning about the Constitution and understanding the importance of voting in local, state, and federal elections (pp. ix and 18). An overwhelming 97 percent of both parties agree that preparing students to be good citizens is crucial (p. 13).
Yet here's the sobering reality: less than one-third of respondents—just 29 percent overall—believe American public schools are succeeding in this mission (p. 11).
The disconnect is evident locally too. This summer Washington’s 2013 Civics Educator of the Year Web Hutchins and former state Representative Eric Pettigrew (37th district) called out Seattle Public Schools for its “embarrassingly minimalistic civics requirements,” proposing instead a comprehensive program built on mock elections for K-12 students.
A New Solution: Federal Tax Credit Scholarships
What if there was a way to help all schools—public and private—strengthen civics education? This summer, Congress created exactly that opportunity by enacting the country's first-ever federal tax-credit scholarship program.
This groundbreaking program makes virtually all K-12 students eligible for scholarships covering educational expenses—but only if Governor Ferguson opts Washington state in. Here's how it works: taxpayers receive dollar-for-dollar credits worth up to $1,700 against their federal income taxes for scholarship donations. These scholarships could fund civics curricula and supplies, as well as tutoring, transportation, special education services, after-school programs, private school tuition, and more.
It's a real win-win scenario. Parents gain access to educational resources that best serve their children's needs, while generous federal tax credits help make our state more affordable—at no additional cost to Washington taxpayers.
Addressing the Opposition
Despite these benefits, some officials remain skeptical. State Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee chair Sen. Lisa Wellman (Mercer Island) appears to assume that only public schools can prepare future citizens (see related discussions here and here). More strident critics, like American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, go further, claiming private schools "undermine" democracy" (see also pp. 8-9 here).
What the Research Actually Shows
This opposition ignores compelling scientific evidence. A growing body of research demonstrates that private schools—particularly faith-based ones—correlate with higher levels of political tolerance, civic knowledge and skills, volunteerism, and community engagement among students.
University of Buckingham education professor M. Danish Shakeel, co-author of a recent meta-analysis on civics outcomes in private education, puts it bluntly: the scholarly evidence regarding “’religious schools' ability to produce citizens’… should help debunk the notion that private school choice will ‘destroy democracy’." Likewise, meta-analysis co-author Patrick J. Wolfe, distinguished professor of education policy at the University of Arkansas, concludes: “The research record is clear. Students who attend private schools demonstrate higher levels of civic outcomes” (here p. 24). These conclusions are supported by extensive earlier research (available here, here, here, and here).
A Constitution Day Call to Action
This Constitution Day presents a unique opportunity to support stronger civics education for all students by embracing the federal tax credit scholarship program that can make this vision reality.
The path forward is clear: comprehensive civics education that prepares informed, engaged citizens, supported by innovative funding mechanisms that expand educational opportunities without burdening state budgets.
Learn more about the federal tax credit scholarship program and how you can support it here.
