Research

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 curricular program. The program draws upon the expertise of teachers and educational consultants to develop new resources for We the People professional development and instruction that foster positive civics and social and emotional learning (SEL) outcomes among English learners, students with disabilities, and students of color. CERL is conducting the evaluation research on the JMLPE.

Read more about CERL research on the JMLPE.

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 People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum in their classes. CERL conducts research on the effectiveness of the professional development program for teachers and the We the People curriculum intervention for students. CEAS is designed to improve teachers’ and students’ knowledge of American government and history, the U.S. Constitution and founding principles, and government institutions and processes. It develops students’ problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills. The We the People curriculum improves students’ English literacy skills as they engage in reading, writing, presentation, and reflection. CEAS is funded by a federal grant.

Read more about CERL research on CEAS.

Project Citizen is a civic education program for middle, secondary, and post-secondary students, as well as youth and adult groups. Its practical, first-hand approach promotes student interest and the ability to participate competently in state, local, and federal government. Students focus on principles and values of democracy, tolerance, and political efficacy while working together to identify an issue in their community that they care about. They create potential solutions to make a positive difference in their community. The Center for Civic Education received a three-year grant for the Project Citizen Research Program to engage teachers from across the country in professional development and measure the effects.

Civics in the Digital Age is CERL’s research on education’s role in conveying digital civic competencies to students at the primary school, secondary school, and university levels. The studies address the instructional approaches used to convey digital civic competencies to students, the challenges of keeping current amidst an ever-shifting digital landscape, and the issues educators face when teaching digital civics in a polarized political climate.

Read more about CERL research on Civics in the Digital Age.

The James Madison Legacy Project is a three-year nationwide initiative of the Center for Civic Education that aims to increase the availability and effectiveness of civics instruction in over 500 elementary and secondary schools. It provides professional development for teachers of high-need students to improve students’ achievement in attaining state standards in civics and government. The professional development program is based on the Center’s We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum which has involved over 28 million students and 75,000 teachers in all fifty states since 1987.

Read more about CERL research on the James Madison Legacy Project.

The Presidential and Congressional Academies provide high-quality educational engagement in American history and civics. The Presidential Academy is for secondary school teachers. The Congressional Academy is for high-need high school students. The Academies, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, were held in 2019 and 2021.

Read more about CERL research on The Presidential and Congressional Academies.

Civic Engagement is a program started by Dr. Diana Owen to educate students about the importance of addressing issues of public concern. Students can take political and non-political actions to protect public values or make positive changes in their communities.

Read more about CERL research on Civic Engagement.

The State of Technology in Global Classrooms is CERL’s study, in conjunction with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), of how media professionals and newsrooms worldwide have been adapting to the digital revolution. The research examines the emergence of new roles, structures, and hiring practices in newsrooms. The study also explores the specific roles technology is playing in newsroom operations, including its effect on workflows, distribution, storytelling, and audience engagement. The research identifies gaps in access to and use of technology among journalists and in newsrooms in specific countries.

Read more about CERL research on the State of Technology in Global Classrooms.