Jovan Tripkovic
October 24, 2025
President Trump Makes Civics Education Great Again
HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVICS EDUCATION
A NEW ERA FOR CIVICS EDUCATION
On September 29, 2025, President Donald J. Trump’s Department of Education announced more than $153 million in new grant awards through the American History and Civics Seminars Program, marking the beginning of a new era in the nation’s civics education.
- These grants are directed to colleges and universities with independent civics centers, as well as nonprofit organizations dedicated to teaching American history and civics–the study of the rights and duties of the citizenship and the functioning of government. This historic investment is the latest example of President Trump’s steadfast commitment to strengthening civics education and rekindling patriotism across the nation, as the country prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday.
The $153 million grant will support seminars for America’s Semiquincentennial and civics literacy initiatives by funding:
- Expert-led seminars across the country focused on the nation’s founding documents and principles.
- Creation of educational resources to strengthen civics learning for students and the public.
- Development of K–12 curricular materials aligned with state academic content standards.
- Organization of school and community events aimed at reviving America’s founding principles in public life and civil discourse.
CIVICS EDUCATION ACROSS THE 50 STATES
On the eve of America’s Semiquincentennial, we find ourselves at a troubling low point in civic pride and the public’s understanding of our Republic’s founding documents and principles. According to a recent Gallup survey, only 58% of U.S. adults are “extremely” (41%) or “very” (17%) proud to be American—a record low. That is nine points lower than last year and five points below the previous low recorded in 2020. For perspective, in January 2001, 87% of Americans reported being extremely or very proud, and in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, that number increased to 90%.
Most states require civics instruction as a condition for high school graduation. Few states make similar requirements for college students. According to a recent Martin Center study, only 14 states require at least one civics course for all undergraduate students:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Missouri
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Wyoming
PROMOTING PATRIOTISM: AMERICA 250 CIVICS EDUCATION COALITION
On September 17, Constitution Day, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced a historic new initiative: the America 250 Civics Education Coalition. As stated by Secretary McMahon, the coalition’s mission is to “promote the instruction of civics and America’s founding principles in K–12 schools and higher education institutions across the country.” This historic effort brings together a nationwide network of more than 40 national and state-based organizations, including the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Turning Point USA, Moms for Liberty, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation, among others.
Under Secretary McMahon and her co-chair, AFPI’s Erika Donalds, the America 250 Coalition seeks to strengthen civic literacy, rekindle the spirit of patriotism, and renew America’s national pride. The coalition’s programming includes more than 100 events, seminars, and initiatives across the country, designed to engage and inspire K–12 and college students, as well as the broader public. Key events include:
- Trail to Independence Tours (K–12 Focus): A journey to all 50 states, in the order they joined the Union, highlighting each state’s unique path to statehood and its contributions to the nation.
- Fundamental Liberties College Speaker Series (Higher Ed Focus): A nationwide series of 50 lectures on America’s core rights and values, grounded in the principles of patriotic education. This program is focused on higher education.
- Patriotic K–12 Teacher Summits and Toolboxes: Summits and resources designed to equip K–12 educators with tools to support patriotic teaching in classrooms across the country.
AS AMERICA APPROACHES ITS 250TH BIRTHDAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING CIVIC KNOWLEDGE, FOSTERING PATRIOTISM, AND DEEPENING UNDERSTANDING OF OUR REPUBLIC’S FOUNDING PRINCIPLES.