Civic education is essential to creating an informed and responsible citizenry. Through curricula that feature active civic engagement, students can learn the value of their participation in government and their potential to generate change. The cornerstone of any democracy is the assumption that a government must transform as the needs of its citizens alter, but responsibility in government can only occur if the driving force is a responsible citizenry – and education and practical experience is essential in achieving this goal.
All of Earth Day Network’s educational resources include civic education components – and more innovative and engaging resources will be available soon! Below is a brief list of Web sites and organizations that emphasize civic education and active, democratic participation. It is a suggestion for where to begin; where to go from there is up to you…
EDN Educators Network
The educational resources available through EDN’s Educators Network are appropriate for a variety of subject areas and grade levels and all lessons include a civic education component. Register or log in to download innovative and engaging lessons such as Environmental Jeopardy, Waste Walk, Food and You, The Trash We Pass, and We Are All Responsible. Students get excited to learn about their environment and want to get involved. Incorporating environmental issues into your lessons is a great way to encourage civic engagement in your students!
The Bill of Rights Institute
The Bill of Rights Institute's mission is to educate high school students about the Bill of Rights through classroom material and programs. The Institute is dedicated to helping teachers enhance students' understanding of their rights and responsibilities, as well as the historical and philosophical origins of the American Constitution.
Center for Civic Education
The mission of the Center for Civic Education is to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy in the United States and other countries.
Center for Communication & Civic Engagement
A part of the Department of Communication at the University of Washington, the Center for Communication & Civic Engagement researches citizen resources and student-inspired learning that stimulates productive opportunities for civic action in politics and social issues.
The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement
A part of the University of Maryland, CIRCLE promotes research on the civic and political engagement of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25.
Choices for the 21st Century Education Project
The Choices Project is an educational program that publishes curriculum materials on critical international issues and sponsors the Capitol Forum on America's Future, a civic education program that engages high school students in a dialogue with peers and elected officials on the role of the U.S. in the world today. Capitol Forum is a collaboration among Choices, Secretaries of State, statewide civic organizations, and local teachers.
Civitas International
Civitas International, a world-wide non-governmental organization for civic education, aims to strengthen effective education for informed and responsible citizenship in new and established democracies around the world. It hosts an online resource and service for civic education practitioners (teachers, teacher trainers, curriculum designers), as well as scholars, policymakers, civic-minded journalists, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) promoting civic education all over the world.
Close Up Foundation
The Close Up Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to promote responsible and informed democratic participation through its own active educational programs.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation seeks to instill in our nation's youth a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in our Constitution and its Bill of Rights and to educate young people to become active and responsible participants in our society.
National Alliance for Civic Education
The NACE combines the energy of diverse groups and individuals in a coordinated effort to help citizens across the country better understand the significance of effective civic education for a well-functioning democracy.
American Bar Association – Department of Public Education
The ABA Division of Public Education's mission is to promote public understanding of law and its role in society through programs, publications, and resources designed to educate and inform youth, undergraduate college and university students, and adults about law and the justice system so that they are better equipped to meet the challenge of productive engagement in our democracy.
The American Political Science Association
APSA is a professional organization for the study of political science. Supporting and sustaining quality civic education has been an important theme throughout the history of APSA, and it recently created a standing committee dedicated to civic education and engagement.
Center for Democracy and Citizenship
The Center for Democracy and Citizenship develops citizenship initiatives around the concept of public work. It conducts workshops and presentations on civic action.
Civic Practices Network
CPN is a collaborative and nonpartisan project dedicated to bringing practical tools for public problem solving into community and institutional settings across America.
Educators for Social Responsibility
ESR helps educators create learning environments that encourage development of social skills, emotional competencies, and qualities of character necessary for young people to become contributing members of their communities.
Facing History and Ourselves
Facing History and Ourselves engages students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice, and anti-Semitism in order to promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry. Its work is based on the premise that we need to—and can—teach civic responsibility, tolerance, and social action to young people.
Institute for Civic Leadership
ICL works to train, support, and engage civic leaders, primarily through workshops and conferences.
National Civic League
NCL is dedicated to strengthening citizen democracy by transforming democratic institutions. It fosters innovative community building and political reform, assists local governments, and recognizes collaborative community achievement.