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EnglishWhat is the Center for Civic Education (civiced.org)?
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The Center for Civic Education (civiced.org) is a civic education organization that describes its mission as renewing democracy with each generation. It works through a national network of scholars, educators, and supporters to prepare citizens who understand, value, and practice democracy. Its best-known offerings are two flagship programs—We the People and Project Citizen—alongside teacher recognition efforts such as the American Civic Education Teacher Awards.
What the organization says it does
The Center frames its work around a simple claim: a citizenry that understands, values, and practices democracy is essential to liberty, and that preparation cannot be taken for granted. Its stated approach combines collaboration and continuous innovation to prepare engaged citizens, sustain democracy, and transform lives.
In practical terms, that means the Center develops and supports civic education curricula and programs delivered largely through schools, with educators and scholars as the connecting network.
The two flagship programs
| Program | What it is | How students participate |
|---|---|---|
| We the People | A comprehensive constitutional curriculum implemented nationwide | Culminates in what the Center describes as the largest civics competition in the U.S.; students take and defend positions on historical and current issues in simulated congressional hearings |
| Project Citizen | A hands-on program in understanding and shaping public policy, described as the longest running and most widely adopted of its kind | Students identify a local issue, conduct research, explore solutions, and take steps to put a plan into action |
The distinction is useful if you are choosing between them: We the People centers on constitutional knowledge and argumentation, while Project Citizen centers on local policy problems and applied civic action.
Teacher recognition and classroom resources
The Center also highlights work aimed directly at educators:
- American Civic Education Teacher Awards (ACETA). The 2026 recipients were three teachers from Florida, Iowa, and Indiana—one each at the high school, middle school, and elementary level—recognized for preparing young people to put constitutional democracy's principles into practice.
- Teaching250. A collection of free, ready-to-use civic lessons created by educators in partnership with the Center for Civic Education, the National Constitution Center, and Civics Renewal Network partners. The lessons are described as inquiry-based, built around compelling questions.
Who this is for
- Teachers and curriculum coordinators looking for established civic education curricula or ready-to-use lesson collections can start with the program pages for We the People, Project Citizen, and Teaching250.
- Students and coaches interested in the simulated congressional hearing format should look at We the People specifically.
- Anyone trying to understand the organization's orientation can read its self-description: it presents itself as a nonpartisan-style civic preparation organization grounded in constitutional democracy, delivered through a national educator network.
The site's own framing is the best guide to fit: it positions civic education as generational work rather than a single course, so its materials are organized around sustained programs and teacher support rather than one-off content.