Professional Learning
High-Quality Instructional Materials Infusing Inquiry with Curricula
Experiential Learning
Our flagship programs include authentic experiential learning opportunities as summative assessments, enabling students to apply their knowledge in scenarios that mirror real-world civic participation, deepening their understanding through practical engagement.
Standards Aligned
The Center’s materials have been aligned to the social studies standards of all 50 states and D.C., AP Government and History, Educating for American Democracy Roadmap, and the C3 Framework.
At the Center: Inquiry
Inquiry is the lived practice of civic skills, knowledge, and dispositions which lead to informed engagement. By modeling these behaviors in the classroom, teachers reinforce the Center’s central goal, to develop active and involved members of society. The 5E Model builds upon itself, from Engagement to Exploration to Explanation to Elaboration, and finally, to Evaluation. It also invests students in their own learning, inviting them to draw from their own experiences and perspectives, which results in deep, culturally responsive civic learning.
Culturally Responsive
The inquiry method used in our curricula empowers all students to actively participate in their communities, regardless of background, creating pathways for historically underrepresented groups to engage in civic life, promoting inclusivity and encouraging meaningful civic involvement for everyone.
The 5E Model
A Library of Learning
Webinars, Online Courses, and More
The Center has offered high-quality educator professional development for decades. Today, we provide such opportunities through our partners in several states in addition to organized Center events, self-paced online courses, and special webinars.
Every month, the Center hosts fascinating webinars on a host of subjects, from pedagogical techniques to civic content. Each session is available live via Zoom and then recorded for future access.
You can visit civiced.org/webinars now to access a full archive of these videos, allowing you to explore your professional learning at whatever pace suits your needs.
In Your State
The Center for Civic Education partners with a network of 50+ state civics, government, and law programs sponsored by state bar associations and foundations, colleges and universities, and other civic and law non-profit organizations to promote teaching and learning about the Constitution and Bill of Rights. These state programs conduct local teacher professional development, hold conferences and organize local and state simulated congressional hearings for elementary and secondary students.
Open Courses
We the People Open Course
This course takes you from the philosophical foundations of the U.S. Constitution through the modern interpretation and application of its ideals. You will find videos of noted scholars explaining key aspects of the Constitution and online exercises to check for understanding. The course follows the We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution Level 3 textbook, which has been used throughout the country to further understanding of our government and its fundamental principles.
Strengthening Democracy in America
Strengthening Democracy in America is a collection of free courses featuring video interviews with noted scholars. These courses will deepen your understanding of the American political system and your rights and responsibilities in it. The first two courses provide a framework for understanding the history and development of the system. Subsequent courses focus on its strengths and weaknesses and means of enhancing the strengths and diminishing the weaknesses. The courses are open to anyone and can be completed at your own pace.
civiced.org/
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