MSU Launches Civic Education Academy Ahead of America's 250th Anniversary

The new program aims to strengthen civics knowledge among Michigan high school students and teachers.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Michigan State University is launching a new statewide initiative called the James Madison College Academy for Civic Education (ACE), funded by a $1.3 million federal grant. The program will offer immersive summer seminars for high school students and professional development opportunities for educators across Michigan, with the goal of strengthening civics education as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Why it matters

Surveys show many Americans lack a basic understanding of government, and the program's organizers believe strengthening civics education is critical as the country approaches this milestone anniversary. The initiative is designed to give students a deeper understanding of American government and encourage meaningful dialogue, while also providing teachers with training and resources to become more effective civic educators.

The details

The ACE program will run two parallel tracks. One includes a two-week residential summer program at MSU for rising high school seniors, where students will participate in discussion-based seminars focused on primary historical documents like the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Federalist Papers. Students will also go on educational field trips and participate in cultural activities. A second track will focus on high school educators, with teachers participating in a week-long training program that combines in-depth study of historical documents with classroom teaching strategies. Participants will receive stipends and continuing education credit.

  • The program was launched in response to a 2025 notice from the U.S. Department of Education seeking proposals to commemorate the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary.
  • The student summer program will take place in the summer of 2026.
  • The teacher training program is expected to expand statewide in the coming years.

The players

Tobin Craig

The program director of the James Madison College Academy for Civic Education (ACE) at Michigan State University.

U.S. Department of Education

The federal agency that provided a $1.3 million grant to fund the ACE program at Michigan State University.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In the summer of 2025, a notice was posted at the Department of Education that they were interested in programming that would celebrate or help commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We saw this as a real opportunity for us and for James Madison College to sort of make a contribution to civics education in the state.”

— Tobin Craig, Program director, James Madison College Academy for Civic Education (wzmq19.com)

“These shared texts provide the opportunity for us to deliberate in common about the things that matter most to us and about which we often disagree.”

— Tobin Craig, Program director, James Madison College Academy for Civic Education (wzmq19.com)

“The American regime, on the one hand, derives its legitimacy and ultimately rests upon the consent of the governed, that is, the people. We're meant to be a self-governing people. But it's also a highly complicated form of government.”

— Tobin Craig, Program director, James Madison College Academy for Civic Education (wzmq19.com)

“In our view, civics education isn't just about veneration for the founding. It's really about learning about how to be an effective citizen in a self-governing republic.”

— Tobin Craig, Program director, James Madison College Academy for Civic Education (wzmq19.com)

What’s next

Applications for the student program are now open, and additional teacher programming is expected to expand statewide in the coming years.

The takeaway

As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this new civic education initiative at Michigan State University aims to strengthen civics knowledge and engagement among high school students and teachers across the state, helping to prepare the next generation of informed and active citizens.