We are not the only Center concerned with issues of civic literacy. Here are other useful resources:
American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Program on American Citizenship
This initiative brings together scholars and practitioners to discuss and identify critical questions related to citizenship and free society. The goal is to establish an inventory of existing work on these issues and to develop best practices for strengthening American citizenship. Read their latest publication, “Civic Education Professional Development: The Lay of the Land.”
The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE)
CIRCLE conducts research and disseminates information on civic education in schools, colleges, and community settings and on young Americans’ voting and political participation, service, activism, media use, and other forms of civic engagement. The organization also provides training and technical assistance to direct providers of services to youth. The latest research looked at Young Voter’s Perceptions on 2016 Presidential Candidates.
Civic Engagement Research Group at Mills College
CERG conducts research focused on understanding youth civic engagement. The goal is to monitor trends, frame priorities, and develop evidence-based civic education practices and policies. Their latest project is Educating for Democracy in the Digital Age (EDDA) which published a recent report on “Civic Engagement in Oakland High Schools.” Read the latest publications.
Civics Education Resources
This website connects a comprehensive curriculum on the United States Constitution and its amendments to daily civics news and student discussion. The multimedia curriculum is designed for social studies classrooms. Check out their guide to the United States Constitution.
Bill of Rights Institute
This institute envisions a citizenry that possesses the knowledge, values, and skills to exercise the rights and responsibilities needed to maintain a free society. To that end, it focuses on providing educational resources on the documents and principles on the founding of the United States for teachers and students of American history and civics. Discover their resources for students and educators.
Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools: Educating for Democracy
The Campaign’s goal is to increase and improve K-12 civic learning through efforts to bring about changes in national, state, and local education policy. Among its myriad activities, it offers resources to help educators provide effective civic learning for all students. Check out their Civic Learning Fact Sheet, and read their latest publication, “Guardian of Democracy: The Civic Mission of Schools.”
Center for Civic Education
With the assistance of a network of national and international organizations and leaders, the Center for Civic Education implements programs to increase understanding of the principles, values, institutions, and history of constitutional democracy among teachers, students, and the general public. The Center’s mission is to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles. Read the latest research and evaluations, here.
Close Up Washington DC
Close Up partners with educators, schools, and youth organizations throughout the United States to help young people develop the skills and attitudes to become informed and engaged citizens in a democracy. Its programs seek to reach participants that represent a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds. View their publications on civics.
Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF)
CRF seeks to instill in American youth a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in the Constitution. It is dedicated to educating young people about the importance of civic participation in a democratic society. View their page for free lesson plans.
iCivics is committed to securing democracy through teaching the next generation to understand and respect the American system of governance. To that end, the organization produces a free comprehensive civics curriculum for use in classrooms across all 50 states. Play games that teach civics.
Institute for the American Constitutional Heritage at the University of Oklahoma
This institute sponsors a broad range of civic education programs that are free and open to the public. Its outreach mission is to bring the talents and resources of its faculty to the broader community, and in turn, the community enriches the conversations that the institute hosts. Take their course, “Understanding the 2nd Amendment.”
Michigan Center for Civic Education
This organization is dedicated to providing America’s youth with the knowledge and skills needed to become informed and engaged citizens. It offers programs for teachers, students, and members of the community that reflect best practices in civic and law-related education and provide experiences that are relevant to real life experiences. Discover their resources section for helpful lesson plans and more.
Tennessee Center for Civic Learning and Engagement
TCLE’s mission is to enhance the teaching of Tennessee civics, law, justice, citizenship, history, government, and humanities in the state’s K-12 schools. It strives to do so through professional development programs for Tennessee teachers and legal resource personnel, and through statewide civic and law-related programs for students. View the Project Citizen page for a variety of civics related resources.
United States Courts
The “Educational Resources” section provides an array of information and experiential learning programs on the judicial branch of the U.S. government. Visit their Educational Resources page to learn everything from 1st right amendments to Supreme Court landmark cases.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Textbook
The long awaited Ebook of We the People is here. Check out the complimentary version and explore the interactive features that bring Civics education to life. Get a free 28-day trial of this civics textbook.
The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), housed at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, takes a strong interest in increasing civic engagement through the classroom setting. Their website holds a variety of civic related resources. Take one of their learning modules, “Mock Election” or “E-Congress.”
The U.S. Constitution for Kids– Use this free resource for tips and tricks on teaching the constitution to school-age children.