Project Citizen: A We the People Portfolio-Based Program (Level 1)

Project Citizen is a civic education program for middle grade students and youth groups that promotes competent and responsible participation in state and local government. It actively engages young people in learning how to monitor and influence public policy. As a project, young people work together as a class or extracurricular group to identify and study a public policy issue. In an interactive, cooperative process, students are divided into four groups. Each group undertakes specific tasks related to the policy issue. The final product is a portfolio displaying each group's work. In a culminating activity the class presents its portfolio before other classes or community organizations. The activity encourages civic participation among students, their parents, and members of the community. Suggested for grades 6-9. (publisher)