JSU Professor Leads Civic Education Initiative to Combat Election Misinformation

The program aims to strengthen civics lessons in Alabama classrooms and address social media claims about halting elections.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:49am

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A political science professor at Jacksonville State University is spearheading a new statewide initiative to bolster civic education across Alabama. The effort comes as the professor pushes back on social media misinformation claiming that midterm elections could be halted due to international conflict, noting the U.S. Constitution requires regular elections. The $2.6 million grant-funded program will provide professional development seminars for teachers to bring stronger civics lessons into their classrooms.

Why it matters

Civic education is crucial for ensuring citizens understand how the U.S. government works and the processes around elections. This initiative aims to address gaps in civic knowledge that can lead to the spread of misinformation, particularly around the constitutional requirements for regular elections even during times of crisis.

The details

Dr. Benjamin Gross, a political science professor at Jacksonville State University, is leading the new civic education initiative funded by a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The program will host week-long summer seminars at JSU for current and future teachers, providing instruction from experts, work with historical documents, and visits to significant historic sites across Alabama. The seminars will equip teachers with resources and tools to bring stronger civics lessons into their K-12 classrooms.

  • The first summer seminar will focus on K-5 teachers, with programs for middle and high school educators planned in the future.
  • The application deadline for the inaugural summer seminar is April 17, 2026.

The players

Dr. Benjamin Gross

A political science professor at Jacksonville State University and the director of the Center for Leadership in American Principles, which is overseeing the new civic education initiative.

Jacksonville State University

A public university located in Jacksonville, Alabama that is hosting the civic education seminars and overseeing the $2.6 million grant program.

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What they’re saying

“The US Constitution makes very clear that the House of Representatives needs to have an election every two years, and that each Senate position needs to have an election every six years. And so while there is flexibility to move exactly when those elections happen, the actual cycle of a two-year midterm election needs to happen constitutionally.”

— Dr. Benjamin Gross, Political Science Professor

“Civic education is learning the responsibilities and the rights to be a member of a political community.”

— Dr. Benjamin Gross, Political Science Professor

What’s next

The first summer seminar for K-5 teachers will take place at Jacksonville State University in June 2026, with the application deadline on April 17, 2026.

The takeaway

This civic education initiative aims to strengthen understanding of how the U.S. government and electoral process works, providing teachers with the resources to combat misinformation and ensure students have a solid grasp of their rights and responsibilities as citizens.