Civic education networks: working together with universities, NGOs, schools, and policymakers to advance innovative and effective policies and practices

. For more than five decades, the Center for Civic Education has worked with organizations across the United States and worldwide to provide people with the civic knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to participate in and practice democracy actively. The Center and its partners have reached tens of millions of students and teachers worldwide. Partners in the Civitas International programs jointly develop and deliver civic education programs for young people worldwide. This unique network of educators, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies has operated in more than 80 countries and 30 U.S. states for more than two decades, developing quality teaching materials and training teachers throughout Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. In the United States, the We the People program network implements civic education programs in all 50 states. These programs include the We the People and Project Citizen curricula developed by the Center. The network also advocates for the development and sustainability of civic education programs. In addition, the Center supports a network of alumni who have completed the We the People program and continues to support civic education as they attend college and engage in professional careers. Educators, professors, and NGO leaders in the United States and internationally join these networks. University partners are political science and law professors, pre-service teacher educators, and social science specialists. NGO partners come from various civic and legal education organizations. Teachers and school leaders are key members of these networks. It is essential to learn from each other’s experiences and inform school leaders and educators about curricula. The network also involves education leaders and policymakers at all levels of government. The diversity of approaches and experiences in these networks increases their strength and effectiveness.