Published
January 29, 2026
Concerns about civic knowledge are well documented. A recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation survey found that while 74% of Americans believe they could explain how our system of government works, 58% failed a basic civics test—and one in three could not name all three branches of government.
At the same time, young people are deeply aware of the challenges facing their communities, whether it’s housing, public safety, local infrastructure, or economic mobility. They see the problems clearly. What too many lack is a clear on‑ramp into civic life: a chance to connect their ideas and concerns to the institutions and processes that shape their daily lives.
The National Civics Bee® is one way we are working to close that gap.
Organized by The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber Foundation, the Bee invites sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to identify a local challenge, research it, and propose a solution in a short essay. Top essays are recognized in their communities, and finalists advance to live quiz‑style competitions hosted by chambers of commerce across the country, where they compete for cash prizes and public recognition as civic leaders. By the Feb. 3, 2026, deadline, thousands of students will have submitted essays that move from “someone should fix this” to “here is what I would do.”
The growth and impact of the National Civics Bee is possible because of a remarkable coalition of partners who have chosen to invest in young people’s civic confidence. Their leadership is helping build a national movement that shows students they are capable of shaping their communities—not someday, but right now.
Building a strong civic foundation
Every Bee essay and competition round rests on serious content. As the Bee has expanded, we have sought out partners who bring deep expertise in civics, teaching, and youth development.
The Bill of Rights Institute serves as the official content partner for the National Civics Bee, designing the study guide, quizzes, and support materials that help students prepare and explore the ideas that undergird our constitutional system. Their scholar‑reviewed resources and how‑to videos give students and teachers a practical roadmap for success, and invite young people to connect founding principles with the issues they write about today.
The Bee also meets students in the digital spaces where they already learn. Through a collaboration with Khan Academy, National Civics Bee finalists receive complimentary access to Khanmigo, Khan Academy’s AI‑powered tutor, to support their preparation for the live quiz competitions. That partnership reflects a shared belief that every student deserves high‑quality tools to build knowledge and confidence.
Sound civic education should be informed by evidence, not guesswork. The Johns Hopkins University School of Education’s Institute for Education Policy has served as a research partner to the Bee, helping us understand what students know, how they experience the competition, and how we can continue to strengthen civic learning over time. Their work helps ensure the Bee is not just inspiring, but effective.
Civic learning where young people are
Civics does not only happen in social studies class. Many of our partners reach young people in after‑school programs, clubs, and community organizations that shape how students see themselves and their communities.
Organizations like the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 4‑H (4‑H National Council), and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America have long histories of raising young people as leaders through service, projects, and mentorship. Their involvement with the National Civics Bee helps connect the competition’s focus on local problem‑solving with ongoing opportunities to act.
Alongside these groups, Youth Service America lifts up youth‑led service as a direct route to a stronger democracy. When students see that an essay about a local challenge can connect to a real service project, civic learning becomes less abstract and more urgent.
Families, schools, and civic institutions at the center
Families and schools remain the heart of civic education. Our partners intentionally support those closest to students.
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools highlights how civic learning and school choice can reinforce each other. Charter schools across the country are weaving project‑based civics and student‑led initiatives into their missions. For these schools, the Bee is a natural extension of their goal to prepare students not only for college and career, but for citizenship.
C‑SPAN helps students see government not as an abstract diagram, but as a living institution. Through its classroom resources and coverage of the National Civics Bee Championship, C-SPAN brings the work of Congress, the courts, and other public bodies into classrooms and living rooms. When Bee finalists travel to Washington, D.C., and appear on national platforms, they see first‑hand how the institutions they study operate.
Finally, the Bee is also sustained by generous philanthropic support. We are especially grateful to our founding partner, the Daniels Fund, as well as the Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Travelers, the Fisher Global Foundation, Ibis Group, The Anschutz Foundation, the Wilson Garling Foundation, and others.
A clear call to action
The National Civics Bee began as a pilot. Today, with entries from thousands of students nationwide and a growing network of chambers of commerce, sponsors, and content and research partners, it has become a national platform for civic learning.
But its impact still depends on one simple act: a student deciding to write and submit an essay by the Feb. 3 deadline.
Our partners are working every day to make that decision easier. They are helping teachers bring civics to life, giving students tools and mentors, and helping families see their children as capable civic actors, not someday, but now.
If you are a student, educator, or parent, we invite you to be part of this work:
- Students: Choose an issue in your community that you care about and submit your essay by Feb. 3. Your idea matters.
- Educators: Make space for civic writing and discussion and point your students to the Bee.
- Families and mentors: Ask young people what they would change in their community—and encourage them to put it in writing.
- Businesses and sponsors: If your company or institution is committed to strengthening civic learning, now is the perfect time to get involved.
Investing in civic education is not a side project for our partners or for the U.S. Chamber Foundation. It is central to preparing the next generation to lead in their communities, workplaces, and our democracy.
By standing together, these “civics champions” are helping rebuild something our country cannot function without: an informed, engaged public—one middle school essay at a time.
Get Involved
Join a growing network that is opening doors for young people and helping bring their ideas to life.
