To fight civic ignorance, don’t just teach students. Test them

Published April 15, 2026 7:00am ET



I recently met young professionals angry that they could not vote in presidential elections because they lived in Washington, D.C. They did not realize the city enjoys three votes in the Electoral College, the same as it would as a state.

Their unjustified anger speaks to the danger of poor education in history and government. In response to this widespread ignorance, states are passing laws requiring students at public colleges to take a class on American history and government.

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