Wisconsin Civic Education Teacher Training Project

Summary

The Wisconsin Civic Education Teacher Training Project provides statewide, evidence-based training for K–12 teachers focused on American civics, constitutional principles, and how those ideas shaped the nation. The project will deliver 19 in-person trainings for educators from public, private, voucher, and charter schools, along with follow-up sessions and classroom-ready resources. This work is supported by a three-year, $1.1 million grant awarded to the Universities of Wisconsin by the U.S. Department of Education’s American History & Civics Seminars program.

This grant supports:

  • Evidence-based teacher training programs provided by the Jack Miller Center (JMC)
  • Supporting activities designed to maximize and measure lasting program impact
  • Outreach to highly polarized communities, urban and rural classrooms
  • Collaboration across public, voucher, and charter school sectors

Statewide Reach

Between 2026 and 2028, the Universities of Wisconsin will host 19 in-person teacher trainings across Wisconsin, with locations rotating among University of Wisconsin campuses to ensure geographic access. Each training will be followed by a virtual reflection session, and additional convenings will bring educators and civic organizations together to share best practices and strengthen professional networks.

Expected Outcomes

  • An improvement in the basic civic knowledge exhibited by Wisconsin college students as measured by future WICCD campus free expression surveys
  • The breaking down of sector barriers (public, voucher, and charter) in teacher education and knowledge sharing around civics
  • Overall improvement in student performance on the Wisconsin Forward Social Studies exam
  • A lasting education training infrastructure that ensures the continuation of activities after the grant is complete

At a Glance

  • Grant Amount: $1.1 million
  • Funding Source: U.S. Department of Education
  • Program: American History & Civics Seminars
  • Duration: 3 years (2026-2028)
  • Lead Partner: Jack Miller Center

Upcoming Events

Teacher Trainings

Before the First Amendment: Expression and Religious Freedom in the Age of Independence

Saturday, February 28, 2026. 9:00am – 3:00 pm
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire – Centennial Hall
 
Supported by the Department of Education and the America 250th Grant for Civics Teacher Training 

Register here

Planned Major Activities

2026

Teacher Trainings Each training will include a virtual follow up meeting two weeks later.

  • Eau Claire (spring 1 day)
  • Madison (summer 2.5 day)
  • Milwaukee (summer 2.5 day)
  • Green Bay (fall 1 day)

Student Focus Groups

  • Four focus groups on UW campuses with 4-6 students

What Works Workshop

  • Madison or Milwaukee (summer as part of the 2.5 day training)

2027

Teacher Trainings Each training will include a virtual follow up meeting two weeks later.

  • Oshkosh (spring 1 day)
  • TBD (spring 1 day)
  • Superior (summer 2.5 day)
  • Stout (summer 2.5 day)
  • Whitewater (fall 1 day)
  • TBD (fall 1 day)

Student Focus Groups

  • Four focus groups on UW campuses with 4-6 students

What Works Workshop

  • Superior or Stout (summer as part of the 2.5 day training)

2028

Teacher Trainings Each training will include a virtual follow up meeting two weeks later.

  • Platteville (spring 1 day)
  • Parkside (spring 1 day)
  • TBD (spring 1 day)
  • TBD (spring 1 day)
  • La Crosse (summer 2.5 day)
  • River Falls (summer 2.5 day)
  • Stevens Point (fall 1 day)
  • TBD (fall 1 day)

Student Focus Groups

  • Four focus groups on UW campuses with 4-6 students

What Works Workshop

  • La Crosse or River Falls (summer as part of the 2.5 day training)

Supporters/Partners

The following organizations submitted letters of support for the grant proposal. Other partners will be added as they become involved:

  • Jack Miller Center for Teaching America’s Founding Principles and History
  • The Wisconsin Association of School Boards
  • Sphere Education Initiatives
  • The Center for Civic Education
  • The Legislative Semester
  • The Menard Center for Constitutional Studies at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire
  • The Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
  • The Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy (CSLD) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • The Center for the Study of the American Constitution at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Contact

Contact Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue (WICCD) at info@wipps.org.