Civic Education Research Lab

Full-length view of the U.S. Capitol

Quality Civic Education for All

Investigating the effectiveness of civic teaching and learning
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About CERL

Formed at the nexus of academia and public policy, the Civic Education Research Lab (CERL) investigates the effectiveness of civic teaching and learning for elementary, secondary, and university students. CERL conducts research on programs and practices with collaborative partners in the field of civic education. We also examine civic engagement and discourse in the digital age.

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Civic Education Research Lab logo features a school house with an American flag.

Our Projects

James Madison Legacy Project Expansion logo

James Madison Legacy Project Expansion

The James Madison Legacy Project Expansion (JMLPE) seeks to improve professional development and instruction in the Center for Civic Education’s We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution…

CEAS logo

Civics that Empowers All Students (CEAS) 

We the People: Civics that Empowers All Students (CEAS) focuses on providing elementary and middle school teachers with professional development to instruct the Center for Civic Education’s We the…

Project Citizen logo

Project Citizen Research Program

Project Citizen will reach thousands of students to increase civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Project Citizen is an interdisciplinary curricular program that promotes competent and…

Integrated Civic Competencies, a Project Citizen Program

Integrated Civic Competencies

Integrated Civic Competencies (ICC) is a groundbreaking civic education program created by the Center for Civic Education to intentionally incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies…

Project Community, Media Literacy and Public Policy

Project Community

Project Community is an innovative civic education program designed by the Center for Civic Education to integrate media literacy into its existing Project Citizen curriculum. The program is…

Civics in the Digital Age logo

Civics in the Digital Age

Educating students to engage effectively and responsibly using digital technology. The digital transformation of politics and society has substantial implications for civic education. People must…

James Madison Legacy Project logo

James Madison Legacy Project

Providing civic education to high-need students. Preparing young people for civic life is an essential task of a democratic society. Civic education gives individuals heightened knowledge,…

Presidential and Congressional Academies logo

Presidential and Congressional Academies

The Academies provide high-quality educational engagement in American history and civics. The Presidential Academy is for secondary school teachers, and the Congressional Academy is for high-need…

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