The announcement of the mandate for Constitution and Citizenship Day shortly before September, 2005, probably led to groans of dismay. Not another "must-do" for teachers and schools already stressed by federal and state requirements for standardized tests, increasingly rigid curricula, and scrutiny from the public and officials. But the…

Author strongly advocates the development of a new curriculum for constitutional education. (MB)

Although schools cannot shoulder the entire burden in the civic enlightenment struggle, they must maintain a central role. This article defines civic education, recommends teaching about conflicting constitutional interpretations, and explains the Bicentennial curriculum designed by Chief Justice Warren Burger. Includes 15 references. (MLH)

States that the proper business of social studies is civic education and contends that civic education must take into account the way in which global connections and uncertainties will affect citizenship in the Constitution's third century. Cites the problems associated with AIDS and the Iran-Contra affair as examples. (JDH)

Activities are described for helping students celebrate and learn about ratification and the historical debates preceding the Constitution's acceptance. (CB)

Americans are constantly reevaluating their commitment to First Amendment rights and values and rearranging their priorities, asking themselves whether life would be more civil, more orderly, less threatening if the excesses of expression were somehow more subdued. That clear sense of unease permeates this second State of the First Amendment…

Although the nation's founding documents do not refer explicitly to education, it would be wrong to regard that which is not explicitly articulated as unimportant. The documents themselves demonstrate the founders' trust in the importance of learning, and the "Federalist Papers" provide the basis for the national regard for education.…

Important constitutional issues are presented in a manner appropriate for use in the classroom. Case studies and events from the history of Iowa are used to illuminate the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Freedom of expression and students' rights are discussed in "The Black Armband Case"; free exercise of religion as won by the Iowa's…

An evaluation is made of existing teacher guides and curricula, and proposals are given for curriculum improvements in the areas of Jurisprudence, Law, and Civics at the elementary and secondary level. (EJS)

A teacher recalls how an entire elementary school became involved in the planning of a school-wide celebration and reenactment of the Constitutional Convention. Resource tips and activities are described. (CB)

Teaching about the U.S. Constitution must enable students to appreciate the meaning of the U.S. system of government and civil liberties. Many methods beyond rote memorization are available to ensure that adults understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens. (SK)

In May 2005, university administrators were rudely awakened from their civic slumbers by a "notice of implementation" from the U.S. Department of Education. With little advance comment from the academy, Congress had passed and the President had signed into law a requirement that "each educational institution that receives Federal…

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 is a fundamental document in the development of the United States. It is outranked in importance only by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The immediate purpose of the Northwest Ordinance was to provide government for the largely unsettled lands north and west of the Ohio River. In promising…

This pamphlet is designed to aid law students as they participate in the "Street Law" seminar that pairs law students and educators in the high school classroom. The clinical program places future lawyers in the classroom to help instruct in areas such as how the law affects daily lives, the meaning of the Constitution, dispute…

There is a necessary connection between civics and economics in education for democracy. This connection should be reflected in school curricula. This digest discusses: (1) federal legislation and programs promoting civics and economics; (2) the connections between civics and economics in the study of the U.S. Constitution; (3) the status of…