Posted in CERL Research
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 into the existing Project Citizen curriculum. The program is designed to develop civic SEL competencies in students in grades 6-8 as they navigate public policy projects. The curriculum intervention is also designed to enhance teachers’ and students’ civic knowledge, civic skills, and civic dispositions. The goal of ICC is to help teachers prepare competent and compassionate citizens capable of creating meaningful change in their communities through democratic processes.
The ICC is a three-year, grant-funded project awarded to the Center for Civic Education by the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program of the U.S. Department of Education. The project includes professional learning opportunities, curricular materials, and program evaluation. The Civic Education Research Lab is responsible for evaluating the impact of the program on teacher and student civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions, with particular attention being paid to student civic SEL skills. The findings from the pilot study, running during the 2025-2026 academic year, will inform subsequent versions of the program. ICC aims to reach 180 teachers and 8,850 students in years two and three of the program.
CERL and Center for Civic Education Launch Integrated Civic Competencies Pilot Program
July 31st, 2025
Innovative Social and Emotional Learning Program to Be Taught in Classrooms Across the Country Louisville, Ky. – CERL Director Dr. Diana Owen and Research Specialists Dr. Patrick McSweeney…
CERL Discusses Integrating Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom at Center for Civic Education Workshop
June 10th, 2025
Annapolis, Md. – Although 72% of teachers report being familiar with social-emotional learning (SEL) and 68% believe it is valuable for civics education, only 23% feel prepared to integrate SEL into…
Conceptualizing and Measuring Civic SEL
February 12th, 2025
By Diana Owen and Donna Phillips The imperative for quality civic education in American schools has never been more pressing. Recent events have prompted calls from across the political spectrum…
