Mario Gallo and Dr. Diana Owen’s article, “Closing the Civic Empowerment Gap: Professional Development for Teachers of High-Need Students,” was recently published in the journal of the Middle States Council for the Social Studies. The article details a study on the effectiveness of teacher professional development associated with the James Madison Legacy Project.

“The James Madison Legacy Project was a seminal professional development and research opportunity,” said Owen. “It provided strong evidence of the effectiveness of the We the People program in increasing civic knowledge and developing civic dispositions in high-need students. Teachers participating in the JMLP professional development program were highly successful in having students attain state standards in civics and government as well as building their civic skills through the program’s signature simulated hearings. The long-term outcome of the JMLP is to empower students to be informed and engaged citizens.”

Gallo serves as the Center’s director of professional development and special programs. Owen is a professor for the Graduate Program in Communication, Culture, and Technology and director of the Civic Education Research Lab at Georgetown University.