Project Citizen, a program co-sponsored by the Center for Civic Education, is a unique curriculum for upper elementary, middle and high school students, designed to promote responsible participation in local and state government.

Students work together to identify a public policy issue in their community and develop an action plan for local government leaders to use in addressing the issue. The work culminates with a class portfolio that can be part of a state and national showcase. Some truly remarkable projects leading to real change have come from this program.

For a great overview of the Project Citizen program, download the Project Citizen Supplemental Resource Packet.

Click here to see an interactive example of a quality portfolio.

See below for more information about:

 

Project Citizen Workshops

Who:  Teachers grades 5-12 (all subject areas)
High School Teachers: Project Citizen provides a great template for Senior Project-type activities!
Teacher teams – any combination of social studies, language arts, math, and science – are urged to attend.

What:  Project Citizen is an interdisciplinary curriculum for upper elementary, middle and high school students designed to teach responsible participation in local and state government.  Students work cooperatively to identify a public policy problem in their community, evaluate possible solutions, and develop an action plan for local government leaders to use in address the problem.  The work culminates with a class portfolio and mock public hearing that can be part of the Oregon Project Citizen Showcase.

Download the flyer and share with a colleague.

THREE LOCATIONS to choose from

1  High Desert ESD, Redmond
Saturday, January 28, 2012
9:00am to 4:00pm

2  Northwest Regional ESD, Hillsboro
Saturday, February 11, 2012
9:00am to 4:00pm

3  Douglas ESD, Roseburg
Saturday, February 25, 2012
9:00am to 4:00pm

Why:  Project Citizen receives rave reviews from not only teachers, but also parents, administrators, and students. Its interdisciplinary, service learning approach allows for integration in a wide variety of subject areas and engages students with real community problems. Students learn about local government while honing reading, research, writing, speaking, and critical analysis skills. Research shows that students participating in Project Citizen develop a greater understanding of the democratic process and a commitment to active citizenship.

Incentives:

  • $125 stipend for participating teachers
  • Classroom set of Project Citizen textbooks for qualified teachers ($265 value)
  • Travel Stipend:
  • $50 if traveling at least 150 miles roundtrip
  • $150 if traveling at least 300 miles roundtrip
  • Professional Development Units (6 hours)
  • Continental breakfast and lunch provided
  • .5 Continuing Education Credit from Lewis & Clark College (optional)
  • $200 bonus to teacher upon completion of a Project Citizen portfolio
  • Opportunity to participate in the Oregon Project Citizen Showcase at the State Capitol in May 2012 (travel support available)

Cost:  $25 non-refundable reservation fee

Register for Project Citizen Workshop

 

Project Citizen Showcase at the Capitol

On Thursday, May 31, 2012, 5th-8th grade students will convene at the State Capitol to present Project Citizen simulated congressional hearings to a panel of legislators and civic leaders. Students also have an opportunity display their class portfolios in the annual Showcase.

Click here for more information about We the People & Project Citizen Days at the Capitol.

 

Correlation to Oregon State Standards

Here the Project Citizen program is correlated to Oregon State Standards in Reading, Writing, and Social Science!  Click the link below for your appropriate grade level:

 

District Coordinators

To learn more about the programs for grades 5-12, workshops, showcases, how to get free books, or report your portfolios, contact your district coordinator.