A statewide assessment of civic literacy
Once-in-a-generation data on how well Utah is preparing the next generation to govern themselves — gathered carefully, held to professional standards, and shared openly.
The foundation deliverable
We will survey students in grades 8–12 and their social studies and history teachers across all 42 Utah school districts. Because Utah requires social studies for graduation, student coverage reaches nearly every young person in the state. Teacher participation is treated as a near-complete census of the profession.
The result is the first clear, Utah-specific baseline of civic knowledge and classroom needs — the evidence that any future review of social studies standards should rest on.
Methodology you can trust
Credibility is the whole point. The assessment is designed to meet the standards of the State Board of Education, the Legislature, and our academic partner.
Student privacy first
Fully FERPA-compliant. All student data is de-identified, encrypted, and reported only in aggregate — never about any individual child.
Independent review
Instruments are validated by our academic partner's methodologist and put through IRB review as needed. We don't grade our own work.
USBE process
The study follows the State Board's research-approval process from the start, so the data is usable by the institutions that need it.
From data to better standards
A one-time legislative appropriation funds the assessment; USBE research approval and academic-partner agreement are finalized.
In-person administration for students supports strong, consistent response rates; statewide digital outreach reaches teachers.
The academic partner produces a validated, de-identified report on where Utah's civic literacy stands.
The evidence becomes the shared basis for the Legislature and State Board to consider updates to social studies standards.