New CERL Publication on Transforming Civics for High-Need Students

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CERL’s research on the James Madison Legacy Project Expansion (JMLPE) is featured in an article in the latest issue of the Political Science Educator published by APSA Educate. The piece, “Transforming Civics for High-need Students by Using Design-based Implementation Research,” is coauthored by CERL director Dr. Diana Owen with Dr. Donna Phillips and Alissa Irion-Groth of the Center for Civic Education.

The JMLPE is a multi-year, innovative educator professional development program and curriculum intervention that seeks to impart civic and related social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies to middle and high school students. It focuses on English learners, students with disabilities, and students of color. The Center is adapting its longstanding We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum to address the needs of these student populations. Working in partnership with the Center, CERL’s evaluation of the JMLPE employs design-based implementation research. CERL and the Center work with educator experts to develop and assess the adapted We the People curriculum. CERL’s ongoing research informs updates and revisions to the design and execution of the professional development program and curriculum. The goal is to make We the People scalable for widespread adoption by the three student populations. The project is funded by a generous grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Read the article in volume 27, issue 2 of Political Science Educator.