Our History
In 1982, the Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE) was founded as the Michigan Law-Related Education Project by a consortium of organizations which included the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan State Police, Michigan State University College of Education, Oakland Schools and the State Bar of Michigan.
Since its inception, MCCE has served as the state coordinator for national civic and law-related education programs. Over the past thirty years, we have built an energetic and cost-effective organization that utilizes the power of an experienced staff and a large group of committed volunteers to support its programs, events and publications.
Our Programs have included:
Professional Development for Teachers
- Authentic Assessment in Law-Related Civic Education
- Civics and Law Institutes
- Educating for Citizenship, an annual conference
- Leadership Training—Civic Education training of trainers
- Professional Development targeted to district needs
- Social Studies Development Project
- Teaching Law in High School Project
Academic Competitions and Student Programs
- Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation
- i-Civics
- Michigan High School Mock Trial tournament
- Project Citizen
- Student courts
- Teens, Crime and the Community
- We the people…the Citizen and the Constitution
- Youth Law Conference
- Youth Summit
Development of K-12 Materials
- Bibliography of Law-related Civic education Resources
- Michigan practical law Guide
Special Projects
- Assisted with the development of Civics and Government Standards, Benchmarks, and Grade Level Content Expectations;
- Clearinghouse for best practices in law-related and civic education programs
- Directed the Michigan Civic Mission of Schools Campaign
- Conducted Civility in Government, a public forum
- Civitas: International Civic Education Exchange Program
- Classroom TLC: Teachers Lawyers Children in Partnership
- Incentive Grant Program
- Law-Enforcement/Teacher Partnership Program
Testimonial
Thanks for the time and effort that is put into this by all of the lawyer volunteers and you, the folks at the center. What a great program. All parents tell me: “I wish they had this when I was in school.
Mock Trial provides high school students with an opportunity to learn about the legal system and develop skills that will be beneficial to any future career choice.
High school students gain an impressive amount of knowledge about their government and history through this program. Their participation will make them better, more informed citizens down the road.
"This is the only conference I consistently attend. I always get re-inspired to go teach. The conference provides a great opportunity to network with other civics, government and law teachers to share ideas and get new ones!"
This program has been one of the greatest experiences of my high school career.
We the People has expanded my speaking abilities, as well as my confidence in front of others. I felt proud of my opening essay, as well as my ability to back up my beliefs.
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An organization solely dedicated to preparing active and informed members of society.
