Civic Education - We the People and the Cooperative Education Exchange Program

This program supports the international Cooperative Civic Education and Economic Education Exchange Program (CCEEEEP). The CCEEEEP objectives are: (1) to make available to educators from eligible countries exemplary curricula and teacher training programs in civics and government education, and economics education; (2) to assist eligible countries in the adaptation, implementation, and institutionalization of such programs; (3) to create and implement civics, government, and economic education programs for students that draw upon the experiences of participating eligible countries; (4) to provide a means for the exchange of ideas and experiences in civics, government, and economic education among political, educational, governmental, and private sector leaders of participating eligible countries; and (5) to provide support for--(a) independent research and evaluation to determine the effects of educational programs on students' development of the knowledge, skills, and traits of character essential for the preservation and improvement of constitutional democracy; and (b) effective participation in, and the preservation and improvement of, an efficient market economy. Civic Education also supports the domestic We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program which has two components. The We the People program is designed (1) to continue and expand the educational activities of the program; (2) to carry out activities to enhance student attainment of challenging academic content standards in civics and government; (3) to provide a course of instruction on the basic principles of the Nation's constitutional democracy and the history of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights; (4) to provide, at the request of the participating school, school and community simulated congressional hearings following the course of instruction described in item 3; (5) to provide an annual national competition of simulated congressional hearings for secondary school students who wish to participate in such a program; (6) to provide advanced, sustained, and ongoing trainings of teachers about the Constitution and the political system of the United States; (7) to provide materials and methods of instruction, including teacher training, that utilize the latest advancements in educational technology; and (8) to provide civic education materials and services that address controversial issues. The second component entitled Project Citizen is designed; (1) to continue and expand the educational activities; (2) to carry out activities to enhance student attainment of challenging academic content; (3) to provide a course of instruction at the middle school level on the roles of State and local governments in the Federal system established by the Constitution; (4) to provide an annual national showcase or competition; (5) to provide optional school and community simulated State legislative hearings; (6) to provide advanced, sustained , and ongoing training of teachers on the roles of State and local governments in the Federal system established by the Constitution; (7) to provide materials and methods of instruction, including teacher training, that utilize the latest advancement in educational technology; and (8) to provide civic education materials.