U.S. Students Struggle with History and Civics Proficiency, NAEP Scores Reveal

National test scores in the US show a significant drop in students' knowledge of US history and a modest decline in civics, a trend that has been ongoing for nearly a decade. The pandemic has accelerated this decline, with a growing number of students falling below basic standards. The dip in civics performance was smaller but notable, and it was the first decline since the test began being administered in the late 1990s. The decline in history scores is due to a continuing de-emphasis on social studies instruction, which has been amplified during the pandemic. Experts warn that a base knowledge in history and civics is critical for students to become engaged, informed citizens.