Civics Training Program - ESC Implementation Grant

The Civics Training Program aims to enhance civic education for K-12 teachers and administrators in Texas. This initiative, funded by the Texas Education Agency, supports 20 regional Education Service Centers to implement training that promotes civic knowledge, media literacy, and democratic participation. The program focuses on fostering informed citizenship, understanding foundational documents, and developing critical thinking skills necessary for functioning in a democratic society. By enhancing educators' capabilities, the program ultimately seeks to improve student engagement and understanding of civic responsibilities.

The Civics Training Program will facilitate the teaching of civics curriculum by providing civics training to K-12 Texas teachers and administrators. This grant provides funding to 20 regional Education Service Centers to implement the Civics Training Programs for teachers, administrators, and campus instructional leaders in their region.
Minimum Allowable per Award: 253,751.00Maximum Allowable per Award: 790,160.00 Cost Sharing or Match Requirement: None
Program Purpose, Goals, and Objectives
The Civics Training Program will facilitate the teaching of civics curriculum by providing civics training to K-12 Texas teachers and administrators in the following areas:
Social studies essential knowledge and skills related to civic knowledgeGuided classroom discussions of current eventsClassroom simulations and models of governmental and democratic processesMedia literacy skills for evaluating online informationStrategies for incorporating civics instruction into subject areas other than social studies
The Civics Training Program will support K-12 teachers and administrators in successfully delivering key objectives of Texas public education related to civics:
Cultivate in students an informed American patriotismLead students in a close study of the founding documents of the United States and TexasIncrease students' knowledge of the deepest and noblest purposes of the United States and TexasEnhance students' intellectual independence so that students may become thoughtful, informed citizens who have an appreciation for the fundamental democratic principles of our state and national heritageGuide students toward understanding and productively functioning in a free enterprise society
The Civics Training Program will ultimately support student success by increasing and supporting Texas educators’ ability to deliver highly effective instruction that enables students to do the following:

• Understand the importance of patriotism Function in a free enterprise societyAppreciate the basic democratic values of our state and nation

This project provides funding to 20 regional education service centers to implement the Civics Training Programs for teachers, administrators, and campus instructional leaders in their region. Authorized by Texas Education Code (TEC) §21.4555.

Eligibility

An eligibility list is posted by regional ESC in the Application and Support Information section.