Logo: Project Citizen

We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution (Level 3)

Empower the Next Generation of Constitutional Scholars

The gold standard in high school civics—now updated for 2026. Give your students the tools to navigate American democracy with the 5th edition of We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution.
In an era of polarization, We the People remains the nation’s most trusted nonpartisan framework for civic education. Beyond teaching facts, this inquiry-based curriculum transforms classrooms into forums for civil discourse. Students don’t just read about American government—they evaluate, take, and defend positions on the fundamental principles that sustain our democracy in the culminating activity: the simulated congressional hearing, which has been turning young people into passionate drivers of their own learning since 1987.
What’s New in the 5th Edition
  • Updated for 2026: Up-to-date scholarship, the most impactful court cases, and exploration of issues in the news make the Constitution relevant to today’s learners.
  • The Power of Inquiry: Compelling questions across six units and 36 lessons spark student curiosity and empower critical thinking.
  • The Simulated Congressional Hearing: This nationally renowned capstone experience prepares students for college, career, and civic life as they learn to critically analyze the text of the Constitution and primary sources, empowering them to form their own constitutionally grounded opinions about contemporary issues facing American self-government.
  • Digital Support: Every print edition is backed by the Civic Learning Center, providing instant access to lesson supports, primary sources, videos, glossary terms, and much more.

Want to Order?

If you're interested in one of our publications, you can request a quote from our distribution partner, Gibbs Smith Education.
Image
Formats
  • Premium softcover or
  • Digital subscription
Number of Pages
  • 440
Pedagogy
  • Inquiry-based
  • Cooperative learning
  • Authentic performance assessment
  • Aligned to the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies
Reading Level
  • Optimized for high school learners
  • New Dale-Chall grades 11-12 
  • Also available for elementary and middle schools
Year of Publication
  • 2026
  • Fifth Edition
Image
Teacher's Edition is Due in January of 2027
Formats
  • Premium softcover or
  • Digital subscription
Number of Pages
  • To Be Determined
Reading Level
  • To Be Determined
Year of Publication
  • 2027
  • Fifth Edition
About

CCE LogoThe Center for Civic Education is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating an informed and thoughtful citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy. We do this primarily through our flagship programs, We the People and Project Citizen, but we also provide high-quality, inquiry-driven curricular programs that bring civic learning to life. The Center additionally equips educators with professional learning that builds confidence and capacity to teach civics with depth and relevance, unlocks students’ civic agency by creating opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and share their voices through simulated hearings and other public forums. These initiatives build a national community committed to strengthening civic understanding and participation for all and root everything in decades of research and evidence. Learn more.

Center for Civic Education

5115 Douglas Fir Road, Suite J
Calabasas, CA 91302

  Phone: (818) 591-9321

  Email: web@civiced.org

  Media Inquiries: cce@civiced.org

  Website: www.civiced.org

© Center for Civic Education