Overview

What is Project Citizen?

Project Citizen is a portfolio-based civic education project designed by the Center for Civic Education for middle school and high school students as well as youth groups. The goal of the program is to promote competent and responsible participation in state and local government. Project Citizen actively engages students in learning how to monitor and influence public policy and encourages civic participation among students, parents and members of the community. 

Ordering textbooks

Project Citizen textbooks can be purchased at http://store.civiced.org If you are interested in viewing a sample workbook, email Ryan Suskey at rsuskey@oclre.org 

Who can use Project Citizen?

Project Citizen is flexible enough to be used in the classroom with a community support program or as an after school program. Anyone can use the program though it is formatted for students in grade 5 and up. Last year, more than 300,000 students and 5,000 teachers around the world used Project Citizen. Not only was Project Citizen used in every U.S. state, but also in Bosnia, Herzegovina, Brazil, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Mongolia, Poland and Russia.

We can come to you

Unable to attend a scheduled professional development? If you have at least five interested individuals, one of whom is an OCLRE member, we can come to you! Contact rsuskey@oclre.org for details.

Project Citizen Resources

Project Citizen is a program created by the national Center for Civic Education (CCE). Their website has helpful resources and tips for educators interested in bringing the program to their students. Visit the CCE website at: https://www.civiced.org/project-citizen/resources.

Virtual Summit

Interested in learning more about Project Citizen?  Contact Ryan Suskey at rsuskey@oclre.org or 614-485-3506

ABOUT:

• On average, projects take 2-3 months to complete (with students working 1-2 days/week on a project) 
• Projects are intended to present a summary of students' work conclusions and solutions.
• Final projects are submitted virtually and can be emailed to Ryan Suskey; rsuskey@oclre.org

Teacher Mentors

What teachers are saying about Project Citizen:

"Project citizen is a great hands-on and student-driven motivator for the end of a school year. The interest is high because the student's ideas and activity 'drive' the program."

"Students are so actively involved in trying to solve the problem" 

"Project Citizen has given students the opportunity to see how our government works and has allowed them to use their voices to make changes in our school environment."

Do the students who are in the Project Citizen program have to be school-based?
No; the program is open to school groups, both in class or after school, community groups, etc.

Does an entire class have to participate?
No; we recommend that students work in a group but you can have multiple groups withing the same class.

How do I get involved?
If you are a STUDENT, share the Project Citizen website with your teacher and invite them to contact Ryan Suskey at rsuskey@oclre.org or 614-485-3506.
If you are a TEACHER, textbooks are available for purchase from the Center for Civic Education. For a sample copy or questions please contact Ryan Suskey; rsuskey@oclre.org or 614-485-3506.

What age groups is this program designed for?
Students can be at any age level although we typically see projects from students in grades 4th-12th

What is the Virtual Summit?
The Virtual Summit is held every year. It is an opportunity for student groups to showcase their projects on the OCLRE website and receive feedback from project evaluators. The projects will be hosted on our website for the remainder of the calendar year and available for viewing by visitors to our website.

Does the solution my students purpose have to be a public policy solution?
Project Citizen is focused on public policy. Students wishing to institute a solution that is not a policy related campaign, e.g. an awareness campaign, please consider submitting the project under the YFJ program