119 SRES 639 IS: Establishing an annual Senate academic civics competition for secondary school students.
U.S. Senate
2026-03-11
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EN
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1.The Senate finds the following:(1)According to the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress civics and United States history assessments, the average civics score for students in grade 8 was 2 points lower compared to the average civics score in 2018, the first time the civics score dropped since the assessment was first administered in 1998.(2)According to the 2023 Annenberg Civics Knowledge Survey, a nationally represented survey, 1 in 6 adults in the United States could not name any of the 3 branches of government.(3)The decline in civics education contributes to civic disengagement, evident in lower voter turnout among young people and reduced participation in community life.(4)The spread of misinformation and disinformation has further highlighted the urgent need for students to gain civic reasoning and media literacy skills.(5)The success of the Congressional Art Competition and the Congressional App Challenge demonstrates that Congress can play a unique role in elevating student talent and achievement.(6)With the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States approaching next year, the Senate has an opportunity to renew America’s commitment to civic education and democratic participation.2.Annual Senate civics competition(a)In this section—(1)the term Committee means the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate; and(2)the term secondary school has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (b)The Committee shall establish and carry out an annual academic competition in the field of civics for secondary school students.(c)The Committee may—(1)partner with relevant public or nonprofit organizations, such as iCivics or the National Constitution Center, to assist with the design of judging rubrics and to offer support with the competition described in subsection (b); and(2)accept donations from private entities to offset costs associated with the competition described in subsection (b). (d)The Committee shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out this section.