News from the Center for Civic Education
Executive Director Christopher R. Riano Writes a Special Message to Our Supporters, Georgetown University Survey Reveals Widespread Use of Center Materials, and More in This Month's Newsletter.
A Message from Our New Executive Director
I am thrilled to have my first opportunity to write to everyone as the new executive director of the nation's Center for Civic Education. It is humbling to have the chance to join with each of you to amplify engagement with our fellow Americans, and all of those that we work with around the globe, around the civic and constitutional principles that we all hold dear.
Learn more.
Georgetown Survey Finds Widespread Use of Center for Civic Education Materials by Social Studies Teachers
A survey conducted by the Research Practicum in Civic Education and Digital Media at Georgetown University found that 47% of civics, social studies and American government teachers have used at least one product provided by the Center for Civic Education. Digital resources for the Center's popular We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program were used by 32% of teachers.
Apply for the PEN America Free Speech Advocacy Institute
Across the country, young people are witnessing the exercise of peaceful assembly rights, journalists going the extra mile to keep citizens informed, and heated debates over who should control what can be posted on social media. Against this backdrop, PEN America has announced its first-ever Free Speech Advocacy Institute for talented and ambitious high school students. This one-of-a-kind professional certificate program meets virtually on weekdays July 20 to July 31 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT. The deadline has been extended: Apply today!
Quick Quiz! Which laws promoted segregation in the United States?
A. Civil War Amendments
B. Equal Protection Clause
C. Jim Crow laws
D. None of the above
Read on to learn the answer!
The Unfinished Business of LGBTQ+ Equality
June 26 marks the five-year anniversary of marriage equality in the United States with the Obergefell v. Hodges decision. This article by Center for Civic Education Executive Director Christopher R. Riano and William N. Eskridge, Jr., the John A. Garver professor of jurisprudence at Yale Law School, explains why the struggle for equality by LGBTQ+ people is not yet complete.
Center Conducts State Coordinator Meeting Online
On June 10, state coordinators from across the country joined Center staff for a virtual state coordinator meeting. The online event featured discussions on this year's National Finals Challenge and National Invitational Challenge, updates from Center staff on planned projects, and updates from state coordinators on the We the People and Project Citizen programs in their states. To stay informed about upcoming civic education events in your state, contact your state coordinator.
Access We the People for Free Until July 31
The middle and high school editions of We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution are available for free until July 31 through Actively Learn. The upper elementary edition will be available for purchase by mid-August. Want to get an in-depth and on-demand tutorial on how to use these digital editions? Watch this video.
Teaching in Realtime: How Well Does America's Federal System Respond to Public Health Crises?
The Kansas State University College of Education's Center for Social Studies Education is partnering with the Center for Civic Education and the Johnson County First Amendment Foundation to offer a free, four-part webinar series as a public service to teachers and citizens, "Teaching in Realtime: How Well Does America's Federal System Respond to Public Health Crises?" It's not too late to join! The final two webinars take place on Tuesday, June 30, and Wednesday, July 1, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern. You can watch the first two videos in the series here: Video 1 | Video 2
Quiz Answer!
C. Jim Crow laws (see episode 4001)
For more quizzes and learning opportunities, check out the 60-Second Civics podcast and daily civics quiz!
