New civics program to connect teachers with founding documents ahead of America’s 250th 

The University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, in partnership with the Center for Civic Education, announces the launch of Documents of Democracy: Lessons in Liberty for We the People. The project will honor America’s 250th anniversary by bringing U.S. history and civics educators face to face with the nation’s founding texts. 

The initiative is supported by a $2.9 million Department of Education grant, with approximately $1.2 million directed to the Hamilton School over three years. 

“Improving the nation's civic education is at the heart of the Hamilton School’s mission, and we’re grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for helping us to do just that,” said Robert G. Ingram, interim director of the Hamilton School. “We’re excited to be working with the Center for Civic Education on this exciting project.” 

Through intensive seminars, educators will engage in primary source analysis, dialogue-based inquiry and model lessons to strengthen students’ understanding of the principles of liberty, limited government and equality. The Hamilton School will contribute its nationally recognized scholarship, K-12 outreach expertise and the leadership of dozens of primary source scholars from universities across the country. The Center for Civic Education brings 60 years of experience with the nationally recognized We the People program and a demonstrated record of working with teachers in every state. 

Evaluating the impact on teachers’ and students’ civic knowledge will be Georgetown University’s Civic Education Research Lab. 

“The Hamilton School is honored to be a partner in this historic effort,” said Benjamin Boyce, director of civics outreach and strategic partnerships at the Hamilton School. “The Hamilton School faculty, as well as our nationwide network of experts, are committed to building rigorous, engaging curricula in history and civics that will help teachers bring the founding documents to life in their classrooms.” 

The project will produce enduring resources including a Primary Document Toolkit for America’s 250th and a new Civics Snapshots video series to reach teachers and students nationwide. Together, the partners aim to prepare the next generation to carry forward the ideals of American democracy.  

“I am thrilled that the Center gets to partner with the Hamilton School for this timely project. America’s 250th is a great time to bring deep constitutional and civic education to even more teachers and their students,” said Donna Paoletti Phillips, president and chief executive officer of the Center for Civic Education.