‘A country cannot survive if its values are forgotten,’ McMahon says
Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced Wednesday her department is launching an initiative aimed at “renewing patriotism, strengthening civic knowledge, [and] advancing a shared understanding of America’s founding principles in schools across the nation.”
The initiative, the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, will involve over 100 events and programs nationwide, including a tour visiting all 50 states, student competitions in American history, K-12 teacher summits, and lectures at colleges from local leaders, members of Congress, and even McMahon herself. It was launched in partnership with more than 40 organizations, such as the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA, the Heritage Foundation, and Hillsdale College.
The coalition comes as Americans of all ages struggle with basic civics knowledge and history. In 2022, only 13 percent of eighth graders scored proficient in history, while only 22 percent were proficient in civics, marking the first ever recorded decline, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. A 2018 Institute for Citizens and Scholars survey found only one in three Americans would pass a citizenship test, with three-quarters unsure why the United States fought the British.
McMahon said the coalition will provide the sort of knowledge that will help close those gaps.
“As America approaches 250 years since its founding, we are proud to announce this coalition to ensure every young American understands the beauty of our nation and is equipped with the civic knowledge required to contribute meaningfully to its future,” McMahon said. “A country cannot survive if its values are forgotten by its people. More than ever, we need to restore the vitality of the American spirit, and this coalition will take bold steps to educate, inspire, and mobilize youth toward active and informed citizenship.”
HAPPENING NOW @FreeBeacon: Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announces America 250 Civics Education Coalition in partnership with AFPI and TPUSA, among others, to revitalize civic education in American schools. pic.twitter.com/ns74tQbf0z
— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) September 17, 2025
AFPI interim president and CEO Greg Sindelar said the assassination of Kirk last week should serve as a reminder of “how precious our inheritance of liberty truly is.” The Turning Point USA founder was engaged in civil debate on a college campus when he was assassinated. His alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, told his lover he’d “had enough of his hatred” and engraved, “Hey fascist! Catch!” on one of the bullets found in the murder weapon.
“The sorrowful events of the past week have reminded us … how easily [our liberty] can be lost if we do not constantly, faithfully, and strongly defend it,” Sindelar said. “That’s why AFPI is proud to stand with the Department of Education and over 40 best-in-class organizations to launch this coalition. Together, we are building a movement to ensure the next generation understands America’s founding principles, carries them forward with confidence and pride, and secures a future of freedom.”
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