At a time when civic understanding is more vital than ever, the Florida State University Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) is leading the charge to revitalize civic education and advance liberty through research and education. Established in 2023 through state legislation, the Institute is grounded in the belief that liberty is the lifeblood of America and that it flourishes only when citizens understand the ideas that sustain it.
IGC’s mission is to advance constitutional, economic, conscience, and educational liberty through rigorous academic programs and teaching, public events that foster civil discourse, and data-driven research. Its initiatives include creating Florida’s only First Amendment Law Clinic and a new Interdisciplinary Degree in Civics and Liberty Studies, which offers four liberty-focused concentrations to prepare students for citizenship and professional careers.
Recent polling conducted by IGC revealed that Americans aged 18–24 are much less willing to engage across political differences compared to older adults. Another recent IGC poll shows how polarization is creeping into our most intimate of relationships, with many people now even refusing to date those with opposing political views. The IGC aims to reverse this growing intolerance by equipping students with the knowledge and skills to engage respectfully and meaningfully in civic life—to understand America’s founding principles and learn how to engage people with opposing views.
The Institute also examined public opinion surrounding the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which affirmed parents’ rights to opt their children out of public school lessons that conflict with their religious beliefs. In a national survey, the IGC found that 61% of respondents supported parental opt-outs when lessons focused on topics that conflict with their religious beliefs. The data also revealed that public concern is especially focused on younger students: 53% supported prohibiting and removing transgender-themed books from elementary schools, compared to just 40% for high schools. Interestingly, when asked whether such books should be removed from classrooms versus libraries, the distinction mattered little—suggesting that the public is more concerned with age-appropriateness than with access points. The results also found a large divide between parents and non-parents, particularly among Democrats, with parents more supportive of efforts to keep such materials from elementary schools.
Through its research and polling, innovative teaching, and dynamic public engagement, the IGC is emerging as a national leader in civic renewal and educational excellence. It aims to be the nation’s premier policy institute in creating the next generation of effective citizens and responsible leaders.
