Australian students continue to see value in learning about the nation’s history and civic institutions, despite a decline in their understanding of Australia’s democracy and political processes, according to a new report from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
The National Assessment Program – Civics and Citizenship (NAP–CC) Report 2024 reveals that while students express a strong appreciation for civics education, overall proficiency levels have dropped to their lowest since assessments began in 2004.
The 2024 report highlights a concerning trend in student achievement. Only 43% of Year 6 students reached the proficient standard, down from 53% in 2019. Among Year 10 students, just 28% met the standard, a significant drop from 38% in 2019. This decline mirrors results from international civics and citizenship studies, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current teaching methods and engagement strategies.
Shifts in student attitudes
Despite lower scores, students remain engaged with civic issues. The report’s questionnaire results show that Year 6 students have high trust in civic institutions but significantly lower trust in media and social media. Students from both year levels are concerned about major social issues, including pollution, climate change, crime, and racism.
Participation in school-based civics activities has dropped, particularly among Year 10 students, with fewer excursions to parliaments or law courts. More students rely on the internet, including social media, for news, while traditional media consumption has declined.
The report also underscores ongoing disparities among student groups. Female Year 6 students outperformed their male peers, but this trend did not extend to Year 10. A significant gap remains between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Students from major cities continue to outperform those in regional and remote areas. Higher achievement levels are linked to parental education and occupation, reinforcing the impact of socio-economic factors on student success.
Calls for stronger support
ACARA CEO Stephen Gniel emphasised the importance of high-quality teaching resources and training to address these challenges.
“As with the recent Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters report into civics education and political participation, the NAP Civics and Citizenship results highlight how we need to continue to support our teachers and educators with high-quality training and resources to help them effectively deliver engaging civics and citizenship education in classrooms across the country,” Gniel said.
“Encouragingly, this latest report shows that most students rate citizenship behaviours, such as learning about Australia’s history, as important. Therefore, it is vital that all young Australians get a strong grounding with civics education to feel engaged with social and political issues, so that they can make a valuable contribution as society’s future stewards.”
The findings reinforce the need for renewed efforts in civics education to ensure students develop the knowledge necessary to participate in Australia’s democracy.