"The only title
in our democracy superior to that of President [is] the
title of citizen."

–Louis Brandeis

2008 Institute brochure (PDF - 92KB)

Instructions for Downloading/Viewing PDF Files

Civic Education Cluster

This 90-hour (2%) cluster offered by the Democracy Project aims to provide teachers with the knowledge, resources, and skills that can be used to promote a deep understanding of content and skills embedded within the Delaware Civics (Social Studies) Standards and the manner in which they can be taught and assessed effectively.

The cluster begins with a two-phase summer institute that focuses on building the participants' knowledge of the standards and content as well as their pedagogical skills. The institute is followed by a series of five connected workshops during the subsequent school year. The workshops are designed to deepen the participants' understanding of the Delaware civics standards as they relate to government, politics, citizenship, and participation; to expose participants to resources that align with the Delaware civics standards; to promote an understanding of how student achievement is being measured vis-à-vis the civics benchmarks and the DSTP; to highlight ways in which civics education can be made more "powerful;" and to foster reflection and revision of instructional and assessment practices.

Participants will prepare and share a portfolio that documents the professional growth resulting from this cluster as well as its impact on student achievement.

The cluster is open to Delaware teachers in grades K-12 who teach or will be teaching social studies, as well as to those who have responsibility for supervision of that content area.

General Information

Civic Ed Cluster ’07-’08 Calendar (PDF - 52KB)
Grad Credit vs. Cluster Credit (PDF - 64KB)

Cluster Assessment Templates

Selected Response (PDF - 52KB)
Extended Response (PDF - 60KB)
Field Testing Form (Word - 28KB)

For more information, contact Fran O'Malley (e-mail or 302-831-4271).