Arizona State University
Advancing American Civic Education and Constitutional Understanding Among K-12 Students
As a nonpartisan outreach center under the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, the Center for American Civics supports K-12 students' knowledge of American civics and civil discourse skills while partnering with state and national civic education efforts to cultivate an enduring understanding and appreciation of American constitutional principles and institutions.
Start Here
Civic learning for every audience
Find a clear starting point for your classroom, school, organization or individual learning.
Educators
Access classroom-ready lessons, primary sources, teaching strategies and no-cost professional learning.
Explore educator support →Students
Strengthen civic knowledge, constitutional understanding, discussion skills and civic leadership.
Explore student opportunities →Schools and Districts
Connect your educators and students with ASU-supported civic learning opportunities and resources.
Partner with the Center →Community
Discover public programs, podcasts and resources that make American history and civic life accessible.
Listen and learn →Featured Opportunities
Learn with the Center
Connect rigorous civic content with practical tools for classrooms and communities.
Professional Development Workshops
Join ASU faculty, master teachers and fellow educators for content-rich professional learning.
View upcoming workshops →Civic Leadership Institute
An immersive summer experience connecting constitutional principles, civil discourse and civic leadership.
Explore the Institute →Bring ASU Civics to Your Community
Collaborate with the Center on workshops, student programs and civic education initiatives.
Start a conversation →Free Resources
Built for real classrooms
Explore adaptable resources informed by scholarship, research and the experience of practicing educators.
Civic Literacy Curriculum
A flexible collection of lessons and primary sources supporting civic knowledge and constitutional understanding.
Explore the curriculum →Arizona Constitution Project
Accessible editions and instructional resources that help learners understand Arizona's foundational document.
Explore the project →Arizona Government and History
Resources connecting Arizona's history, institutions and civic development to classroom learning.
Explore Arizona resources →Broadening the American Story
ASU resources that help educators integrate Indigenous histories and additional voices throughout American history.
Explore the resource guide →Structured Academic Controversies
Discussion protocols that help students investigate competing perspectives and practice evidence-based dialogue.
Explore the activities →Civic Classics Collection
Foundational texts and resources supporting the study of American political thought and constitutional government.
Explore the collection →Our Approach
Knowledge, inquiry and civic practice
Strong civic education combines historical and constitutional knowledge with opportunities to ask questions, examine evidence and engage thoughtfully with others.
Build Content Knowledge
Study American history, political thought, constitutional principles and civic institutions.
Practice Inquiry and Dialogue
Examine primary sources, evaluate arguments and participate in productive discussion.
Connect Learning to Civic Life
Apply knowledge and skills to enduring questions about citizenship and self-government.
Scholarship Meets the Classroom
Supported by expert faculty. Built by master teachers. Shaped by practicing educators.
Expert ASU faculty provide scholarly depth in American history, political thought, constitutional government, law and civic education.
The Center's two master teachers each hold an educational doctorate and bring nearly four decades of combined classroom experience. Their research and practical expertise help the Center create stronger resources, programs and professional learning.
Practicing educators also help develop, review and refine lessons, discussion prompts, teaching strategies and professional development so that classroom voices remain central to what the Center creates.
Expert ASU Faculty
Scholars strengthen the accuracy, depth and intellectual rigor of the Center's work.
Two Master Teachers
Both master teachers hold educational doctorates and bring extensive classroom leadership.
Research and Experience
Educational research is connected directly to the realities of teaching and learning.
Teacher-Informed Resources
Practicing educators have a meaningful voice in what is developed and shared.
Listen and Learn
Civic learning wherever you are
Hear accessible conversations about American history, civic education and democratic life.
Civics in a Year
Short episodes exploring the people, ideas, events and institutions that have shaped the American civic story.
Listen to the podcast →Arizona Civics Podcast
Conversations and resources focused on civic education, teaching and civic life in Arizona.
Listen to the podcast →Ideas That Guide the Work
Why civic education matters
We pay a price when we deprive children of the exposure to the values, principles, and education they need to make them good citizens.
Sandra Day O'Connor Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court, 1981-2006
There's a very long tradition in America of patriotism, meaning gratitude with discussion, debate, disagreements.
Paul Carrese Founding Director and Professor, School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership Read the ASU News feature →