The Center Square’s reporting examined the intersection of rising student political activism, declining civics proficiency, and the role schools play in preparing students for civic engagement. At a time when student walkouts and protests related to immigration enforcement were increasing nationwide, The Center Square’s reporting combined education data, polling results, and exclusive interviews to evaluate whether schools are successfully teaching students the foundational knowledge necessary to understand complex public policy issues. The story reached a broad national audience, generating 247 republications across 47 states.

 

The Center Square’s reporting highlighted a striking contrast between growing political activism and declining civic knowledge. School walkouts and protests increased from 58 incidents nationally in 2022 to 401 incidents in 2026. At the same time, National Assessment of Educational Progress data showed that only 22% of eighth-grade students scored at or above proficiency in civics, while more than 70% of K-12 students remained below proficiency in math and reading. By bringing these trends together, The Center Square examined whether schools are adequately preparing students to engage with political issues through an informed understanding of government and democratic institutions.

 

The article was strengthened through interviews with multiple education experts, including an exclusive interview with Ryan Walters, CEO of Teachers Freedom Alliance. Walters argued that teacher unions have contributed to increased student activism and raised concerns about political advocacy occurring during instructional time. The Center Square’s reporting also included perspectives from Lance Izumi of the Pacific Research Institute and Mika Hackner of the North American Values Institute, both of whom emphasized the importance of civic education and public confidence in schools. These interviews provided readers with expert analysis tied directly to ongoing national debates over education, activism, and academic priorities.

 

The Center Square further expanded the discussion by incorporating findings from the Voters’ Voice Poll, which found that 58% of voters support limits on activism during school hours and that 39% believe schools should focus strictly on academics during the school day. The article also documented outreach to school districts, student groups, and teacher unions, many of which declined to respond.