We the People:
National Symposium on Civic Education Research
March 6–7, 2026
The Center for Civic Education and the Civic Education Research Lab (CERL) invite you to join leaders from across the nation for a pivotal gathering at the intersection of research, practice, and policy. The We the People: National Symposium on Civic Education Research will take place in Washington, D.C. on March 6-7, 2026.
Together we will:
- Examine and amplify new outcomes from civic education innovation and research programs
- Discuss the implications of this research on policy and practice
- Explore how high-quality, evidence-based civic education strengthens schools and communities
The Importance of Civic Education Has Never Been Greater
Why It Matters So Much
This event culminates three years of civic education innovation and research in collaboration with state partners across the country under the James Madison Legacy Project Expansion Program which demonstrates measurable gains for all learners—especially for students with disabilities, English language learners, and other groups who have been historically underresourced.
At a time when generational civic learning gaps threaten the health of our democracy, these findings will serve as a jumping off point for a national conversation. This symposium is an opportunity for the entire civic education field—educators, policymakers, researchers, nonprofit leaders, and advocates—to come together and ask:
- How can we translate this evidence into concrete action and broader support for civic learning at every level?
- What strategies will ensure meaningful access to high-quality civic education for every student in every community?
- How can research and evidence drive policy change and sustainable investment in civic education?
Who Should Attend
This two-day symposium will bring together a diverse group of participants, including:
- School leaders
- State and national civic education providers
- State and district policy makers
- Civic education researchers
- Civics coalition leaders
- Field scholars
- K-16 educators
What to Expect
- Compelling evidence for transformational civic education and rigorous program evaluations presented by leading scholars
- Real-world stories from classrooms and communities where We the People and other civic education programs have transformed outcomes
- Collaboration and action-planning on policy, practice, and advocacy strategies that build on this evidence
- Networking with leaders shaping the next chapter of civic education in policy and practice
Funded by a grant from the Education Innovation and Research Program of the U.S. Department of Education.
