Dear friends of Retro Report,

It’s that time of year again: teachers are prepping their classrooms and students are filling their backpacks. It’s all happening as Americans across the country are getting ready to exercise one of their most important civic duties.

Our recent 2023 Impact Report highlights the strides we’ve made in reinvigorating civics education and deepening students' understanding of the complex issues our world faces. However, the urgency to breathe new life into these crucial subjects has never been more apparent. 

According to the 2023 National Assessment of Educational Progress, eighth graders’ scores in civics have declined for the first time since testing began in 1998. With 44 percent of school districts scaling back on civics and history education, and only 39 states mandating a civics course for high school graduation, there is a pressing need for dedicated efforts to reinforce the foundation of our democracy.

We’re not the only ones who think this. Elected officials across the country and across the political spectrum have introduced new civic learning initiatives. Indiana and New Jersey have adopted middle school civics course requirements. Oregon and Rhode Island have adopted new high school requirements. Georgia legislators passed a bill creating a permanent civic education commission. Utah is funding experiential civic learning pilots at the district level.

As the need for revitalizing civic education becomes clearer, the role of educators has never been more critical. At Retro Report, we stand firmly behind educators as they work tirelessly to engage students with democratic principles and historical context. Recognizing the challenges teachers face, we're committed to providing robust resources that enhance their efforts to inspire and educate the next generation of informed citizens.

For example, we're thrilled to announce a new series, Politicking: A History of The American Campaign. These five short films explore the evolution of American democracy, connecting our electoral roots to modern practices. The series touches on old campaign norms, like negative attacks, the impact of vice presidential choices and the importance of the gaffe. By providing this historical context, we’re giving educators the resources they need to engage students in discussions about our democratic foundations. As a presidential election approaches, this series is a timely resource to deepen students' understanding of American democracy and its ongoing relevance.

As we step into the new school year, we are excited about our new initiatives to enhance civic education for all students. We couldn’t do it without the support of our Retro Report community. Together, we can drive forward our vision of a more informed and engaged society. Here’s to a successful school year ahead!

Best,