A recent report, "Educating Democracy: State Standards to Ensure a Civic Core," was issued by the Albert Shanker Institute of the American Federation of Teachers. This report comparatively analyzes and evaluates the standards for the teaching and learning of civics which state-level departments of education in the United States have developed. This Digest addresses the following: (1) the purposes and rationale for this inquiry about state standards for civic education; (2) the criteria that guided the inquiry; (3) the findings of the inquiry; and (4) suggestions for improving civic education. (Contains 12 references.) (BT)