Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Project Title
For continued support and expansion of the Citizenship Test Initiative, including partnerships with libraries
Date
Sep. 10, 2026
Duration
24 months
Description
Fewer than one in four eighth graders score proficient on the National Assessment of Educational Progress civics assessment. Addressing this challenge requires high-quality civic and history education at scale. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, founded in 1994, improves the teaching and learning of American history through primary source-based educational programs, reaching approximately 38,000 schools and 100,000 teachers. With this renewal grant, the Institute will continue expanding its Citizenship Test Initiative by developing study aids for all 128 Citizenship Test questions, releasing an Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics study guide expected to reach 250,000 students, and launching a national library contest that will award grants to 25 libraries annually, with the goal of supporting 100 libraries nationwide over the grant period, prioritizing those serving underserved communities.
Website
Project Title
For project support to scale the Citizenship Test Initiative
Date
Jun. 05, 2025
Duration
12 months
Description
The National Assessment of Education Progress reports that only 22 percent of 8th graders are proficient in civics and a mere 14 percent are proficient in U.S. history. This lack of foundational knowledge is alarming considering the essential role that understanding history and civics plays in preparing students for responsible citizenship and participation in a democratic society. The Gilder Lehrman Institute, with its extensive network of 36,000 schools and 107,000 educators, serves 14 million students across all fifty states and is uniquely positioned to tackle this issue. Their approach combines utilizing digital tools with primary source documents and resources curated by top historians, which helps promote both knowledge acquisition and civic empathy. By adapting the U.S. Citizenship Test for classroom use, the project connects history and civics learning to the citizenship experience, helping students develop a deeper understanding of American democratic institutions. These interventions are especially timely as the nation prepares for its 250th anniversary, offering an exceptional opportunity to engage students with the nation’s history and civic principles in a meaningful way.