Earlier this year, the United States Chamber of Commerce completed a comprehensive study of 2,000 eligible voters and found that an alarming 70 percent failed a basic civil literacy test. In a world of increasing political polarization and misinformation, the importance of civil literacy can not be understated. 

Political literacy is vital for a well-functioning democracy. Without a basic understanding of how the government works, citizens are less equipped to critically assess policies and political figures and meaningfully participate in civic processes—especially voting. A study by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars found that low civic knowledge correlates with lower voting rates. Only 44 percent of people with low civic knowledge intend to vote, compared to 66 percent of those with higher knowledge.

Civic knowledge is not just a luxury; it is a necessity. Democracies like our own thrive when citizens can be actively involved in the policies that shape their lives. A lack of civic knowledge restricts this ability, leaving Americans vulnerable to exploitation through misinformation and polarization, issues that are currently at the forefront of the 2024 election.

The United States education system is tasked with preparing young adults for the real world, but at Redwood, civil literacy is often pushed under the rug. Most students take government classes online simply to fulfill the credit requirements, a learning experience that often comes up short as new artificial intelligence tools do the work for students. Not everyone must know how many amendments there are or who the current Speaker of the House is, but people should know their constitutional rights and the basics of government. 

In our video, we tested students’ political knowledge at our school, asking them basic questions about the American government and political structure. The results offer a snapshot of the civil literacy crisis we are in the midst of. Despite being one of the most affluent and prosperous communities in the nation, Redwood students fared just as poorly as others across the country. We are two years from the 250th anniversary of our nation, but civil literacy is falling behind. Thomas Jefferson once said, “An educated citizenry is vital for our survival as a free people.”

See how you would do with some of our questions!

1. How many branches of government are there in the U.S.?
   1. Two
   2. Three
   3. Four
   4. Five
2. What does the judicial branch do?
   1. Enforces laws
   2. Writes laws
   3. Interprets laws
   4. Vetoes laws
3. How many electoral votes are needed to win the U.S. presidency?
   1. 250
   2. 270
   3. 300
   4. 280
4. How many amendments are there in the constitution
   1. 23
   2. 25
   3. 27
   4. 29
5. Which international agreement did the U.S. rejoin after President Biden took office?
   1. Paris Climate Agreement
   2. NAFTA
   3. TPP (Trans-Pacific ur Partnership)
   4. NATO
6. What is the current minimum wage at the federal level in the U.S.?
   1. $5.50
   2. $7.25
   3. $10.50
   4. $12.25
7. What California congressional district is Marin County in?
   1. 15th
   2. 3rd
   3. 27th
   4. 2nd
8. We’ll give you a state and you have to say if Biden or Trump won in the 2020 elections
   1. New Mexico
   2. Georgia
   3. Ohio
   4. Idaho
   5. Arizona
   6. Colorado

Answers: b, c, b, c, a, b, d, Biden, Biden, Trump, Trump, Biden, Biden