Kentucky Students Release New Report on the State of Civic Education

LEXINGTON, KY – As part of National Civics Week, the Kentucky Student Voice Team (KSVT) is pleased to publish Beyond the Ballot: The State of Civic Education in Kentucky, a groundbreaking student-led report examining the quality and accessibility of civics education across the Commonwealth.

Drawing on over 2,300 survey responses and 40 in-depth interviews with students, teachers and community members, the report uncovers major disparities in how Kentucky students are prepared for civic life—and offers a student-driven, research-based call to action for policymakers and educators.

“Our research makes it clear that far too many Kentucky students are not receiving the civic education they need to become informed and engaged citizens,” said Chase Colvin, the Kentucky Student Voice Team research coordinator and a junior at DuPont Manual High School in Louisville. “We deserve classrooms that help us understand the world around us, connect with our communities and take action on the issues we care about.”

Key Findings from the Report

• Lack of Civic Education Requirements: Kentucky remains one of just eleven states that does not require students to take a civics course before graduating. Currently, students must pass a simple civics test, which is insufficient for preparing engaged citizens.
• Civic Readiness Gaps: Nearly 60% of surveyed students reported feeling unprepared to engage in democratic processes beyond voting.
• Gaps in Learning Opportunities: Students from lower-income and rural areas report fewer opportunities to engage with high-quality civic learning opportunities compared to those in wealthier districts.
• Limited Classroom Discussion: Over half of students said they rarely or never discuss current events in their civics or social studies classes.
• Barriers to Learning About Varied Histories and Perspectives: Students in some parts of the state report fewer opportunities to learn about cultures and histories outside of their own.

Student-Driven Policy & Practice Recommendations

Based on these findings, the report outlines five key recommendations for improving civic education in Kentucky:

1. Require a full semester or year of civics education for all high school students.
2. Integrate media and information literacy across all subjects to help students navigate today’s digital landscape of finding accurate information.
3. Expand opportunities to learn about different cultures and histories to foster empathy and understanding.
4. Connect classroom learning to real-world issues and civic engagement opportunities.
5. Prioritize student mental and physical well-being to create conditions for collaboration and critical thinking.

Student-Led Call for More and Better Civic Education

KSVT has spent over a decade working to amplify student perspectives in education research, policy, and storytelling. This latest report builds on that legacy, offering a vision for more and better civic education.

“Our democracy at-large and communities locally depend on schools preparing students to participate in civic life,” said Dr. Daniela DiGiacomo, associate professor of youth development and learning sciences at University of Kentucky and KSVT’s adult research partner. “Kentucky students are ready to engage, but they need the right tools and opportunities to do so.”

Read the Report

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About the Kentucky Student Voice Team

The Kentucky Student Voice Team (KSVT) unites young people from across the state as partners in research, policy, and storytelling to build more just and democratic schools and communities. Since its inception in 2012, the team has engaged thousands of Kentuckians in efforts to elevate student perspectives in education decision making at the school, district, and state levels.