The Center for Civic Education launches its inaugural Presidential Academy

July 7, 2019 — In early July, the Center for Civic Education launched its inaugural Presidential Academy at Goucher College in Baltimore. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, this two-week institute brought exemplary scholars and mentors together with 51 teachers and 102 students from across the country. Participants were immersed in the study of constitutional history and principles following the intellectual framework of the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum. Students and teachers also attended four field trips to relevant National Park Service sites, such as Gettysburg and Washington, D.C.

As a result of the institute, teachers greatly improved their knowledge of history and civics and their active instruction in the subject, while students reported large improvements in their civic and historical knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Engagement among teachers and students will continue during the academic year with online discussion forums to continue peer conversation. In addition, the Center will record eight scholarly videos that will be posted online. Four webinars will be offered during the year that will extend the teachers’ professional development and benefit students and the general public.