Purdue Civics test administered more than 15,000 times

As Civic Learning Week kicks off, Purdue University marks a milestone for its Civics Literacy undergraduate degree requirement. Since its adoption for fall 2021, the Purdue civics knowledge test has been taken more than 15,000 times by more than 13,000 students. To date, all graduating students who needed to fulfill the Civics Literacy requirement have done so.

Purdue’s Board of Trustees adopted the Civics Literacy requirement in 2021 in part responding to surveys from Newsweek, the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, and others, noting a lack of knowledge about civics and governance among Americans.

“The Purdue Board of Trustees adopted the Civics Literacy requirement in response to concerns that too many Americans lacked civics knowledge that is so important to citizens in a self-governing society,” said David A. Reingold, senior vice president for policy planning and Justin S. Morrill Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “This requirement demonstrates that our graduates are citizen-ready, fulfilling an important objective of our land-grant charge.” Reingold has led the implementation of the requirement since initial discussions of a civics literacy initiative.

The Purdue Civics Literacy program requirements were developed by a faculty team to add to the educational experience of Purdue students and to graduate more knowledgeable and engaged citizens. It includes an exam and a choice of three education pathways: completing 12 podcasts created by the C-SPAN Center for Scholarship and Engagement and using C-SPAN content; completing a course in American history or American government; or attending six civics-related events. Upon completion of the pathway and the Purdue civics knowledge test, the Civics Literacy proficiency credential is added to each student’s transcript.

“It’s a great point of pride for me that every student required to complete Civics Literacy has done so,” said Fred Duttlinger, who has been director of Civics Literacy since the initiative began. “Preparing our students to be informed and engaged citizens is an important mission and a meaningful one to me personally.”

Students, too, recognize the relevance of civics education. “Overall, I think it is a great implementation for students to understand more about U.S. government/history/civics,” said Haiyan Xuan, a junior computer science major from Carmel, Indiana. “It’s great to have to requirement to encourage students to understand this crucial aspect of their lives, especially as a college student.”

Civic Learning Week, March 10-14, is an initiative of iCivics, a nonpartisan group committed to advancing civic education that is relevant, meaningful and engaging.