NJ Center For Civic Education

The New Jersey Center for Civic Education is an independent non-profit organization affiliated with the Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences and located on the Rutgers-Piscataway campus. The Center is dedicated to:

  • Fostering the knowledge, skills and dispositions students need to be responsible, engaged politically tolerant citizens in a democratic society
  • Providing professional development and resources for K-12 educators
  • Promoting civic engagement and an understanding of history and the role of the citizen and public policy-making in a democratic society
  • Advocating for policies that enhance the teaching of social studies
    • Events and New Resources

    Governor Murphy Signs Civics Education Legislation. The Middle School Civics Mandate/"Laura Wooten Act". will take effect for the 2022-2023 school year. Our new web site with additional information and resources is currently under construction and coming soon!


    Sept. 17, Constitution Day "Fulfilling the Promise of the 26th Amendment," a Zoom program at 11:30 a.m., cosponsored by Eagleton Institute's Center for Youth Political Participation and the NJ Center or Civic Education. To register go to CYPP Constitution Day 2021


    The Project Citizen Showcase for grades 4-12 was recently held digitally. Congratulations to Ridgefield Park Jr./Sr. High School and Ridge High School, who will be representing New Jersey in the National Showcase.
    Project Citizen is a great way to help students understand the role of the citizen and addresses an important component of the new middle school civics mandate. Teachers interested in getting their students engaged in learning how to influence public policy on issues that concern them can view the Project Citizen Professional Development Video, which provides an introduction to the program.



    The New Jersey Student Mock Election will be held this October. This is an important state election. Help your students understand the impact of state government on their lives and the importance of being informed voters in every election. Registration opens September 13th.


    We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution high school competition will be held January 27, 2022. Please contact the Center for more information.


    New current issues lessons:
  • Judicial Appointments
  • Redistricting New Jersey's Congressional Districts
  • Statehood for the DC and Puerto Rico
    • Contact Information

    Arlene Gardner
    President, Board of Directors
    arlenega@sas.rutgers.edu
    Robert O'Dell
    Executive Director
    ro205@scarletmail.rutgers.edu
    Phone: (848) 445-3413
    NJ Center for Civic Education
    Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    640 Bartholomew Road, Suite 101-103
    Piscataway, NJ 08854

    Be part of the effort to ensure that our next generation has the skills, knowledge, and interest to be informed, engaged citizens. Donate to the New Jersey Center for Civic Education.