Evidence of lagging civic engagement in NC points to lessons of civics classes not being absorbed, but alternative approaches offer hope.
Compared with other states, North Carolina is lagging behind in civic engagement, especially among younger generations. Formal civic education doesn’t appear to be doing its part to bolster participation. As a result, public policy only represents a portion of the populace, and a generation of North Carolinians are growing up unprepared to work with each other and their government to solve community problems. Conflicting priorities and inconsistent delivery in schools have hamstrung quality teaching of civics. But ways exist to bolster the effectiveness of civics classes and increase engagement, both within and beyond the formal education system. Civics Unlearned is a three-part investigative series from Carolina Public Press, published Aug. 18-20, 2025. CPP is a nonprofit statewide online-only news platform providing independent, nonpartisan in-depth and investigative reporting on public-interest issues that affect the lives of people in North Carolina. This report was made possible through the support of the Elias Foundation and readers like you.
follow our Three-PART investigation
NC lags in civic engagement. Gaps in civics learning part of the problem.
Instruction for NC students in civics is spotty and often not a priority. Lessons don’t soak in, leading to disengaged younger generations.
Amid other teaching priorities and political tensions, NC civics lessons not being absorbed
With pressure on to focus on STEM subjects, civic education gets limited attention in NC schools. Political tensions don’t help.
How civics education could stage a comeback in NC
Making civics class relate more to students’ lives is working in some US schools and could be fresh approach needed in NC.
Contributors
This series is produced by the news team of Carolina Public Press.
Reporting by Sarah Michels.
Illustration by Mariano Santillan.
Photos by Calvin Adkins, Melissa Sue Gerrits, Sarah Michels, Colby Rabon and Jane Winik Sartwell, in addition to some provided photos.
Editing by Frank Taylor.
