http://www.civxsummit.org

Our nation faces enormous challenges at home and overseas, yet we are deeply divided. As Americans, we have increasingly segregated ourselves into echo chambers of the like-minded. All too often, we lack a common point of reference in facts. ‘Fake news’ proliferates on social media. Far too many of our fellow citizens lack essential civic knowledge and skills crucial for effective civic engagement. For example, more than a quarter of Americans do not know who America fought in the Revolutionary War and nearly 4 in 10 (39 percent) incorrectly stated that the Constitution gives the president the power to declare war (Annenberg Public Policy Center). Our youngest citizens are particularly unprepared for citizenship and do not possess basic knowledge about our system of government.