Since 2009, iCivics has been dedicated to
reinvigorating civic learning through interactive and engaging learning
resources, among them 19 award-winning Serious Games. These resources have now been proven effective by independent
evaluations from Arizona State, Baylor, and Tufts Universities.
The 2013
iCivics Annual Report shows that iCivics teacher network tripled
this year, reaching 35,000 educators across 9,000 schools while students across
the country played iCivics Serious Games an astonishing 5.9 million
times, preparing themselves for civic participation. Approximately half of all
middle school social studies teachers in the U.S. rely on iCivics – a
significant milestone to reach in four years.
Driven by focus groups and rigorous evaluation
measures, iCivics secured, with their partner Filament Games, two U.S.
Department of Education grants to pilot game-based assessment tools and iPad
simulations. They partnered with EverFi, a venture-backed education startup, to
distribute iCivics Serious Games in EverFi’s new course “Commons: Digital
Town Square.”
At the same time, they demonstrate increasing
evidence of the long-term impact of iCivics in shaping future citizens. In
a randomized-control evaluation, Tufts University verified the effectiveness of
iCivics argumentative writing tool, Drafting Board. Research from SRI International
found Drafting Board to be one of the most effective Common Core literacy
resources released in 2011-2013.
iCivics’ Drafting Board is the country’s only free, online tool designed
specifically to address Common Core and help students develop a polished argumentative
essay. Students learn to craft a structured and effective argument with strong evidence
and reasoning. Using topics directly related to the iCivics curriculum,
Drafting Board meets Common Core ELA Standards.
In 2013, Justice O’Connor continued her passionate
advocacy for civic education reform nationally. The Justice keynoted a 2013 civics
education conference at Harvard Law School entitled “Why Civics Matters to
Democracy, Society, and You”. In September, Justice O’Connor and iCivics
partnered with former Senator John Glenn to coauthor an open letter
highlighting the importance of civic education across disciplines.
Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor helps a student
learn as she plays a game on iCivics. Students can play games and simulations
on iCivics focusing on each of the three branches of government as well
as individual rights and responsibilities.