As part of the formulation of a new multidisciplinary civics curriculum for students in grades 8 and 9, a major national conference on the future of civic education was conceived, on the premise that early adolescence is an especially appropriate time to introduce the fundamental ideas of a democratic society. This volume contains the presentations made to the conference by scholars in 10 areas of central importance to civics instruction: the individual disciplines of political science, economics, law, and sociology; implications of demographic change in the United States; political and economic socialization; civic participation; philosophy and ethics; and democratic values. Two appendices also are included: a Citizenship for the 21st Century Conference participants list and a list of members of the Our Democracy Project Steering Committee. (DB)