JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County teachers have the chance to participate in learning programs that will further advance civics and U.S. History education.
The two programs are backed by a more than $3 million federal grant from the Department of Education and feature a partnership with the University of North Florida (UNF) and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ).
The “Cultivating Comprehensive Civics Education” program, led by UNF, will use $2.1 million over the next three years to help 90 middle school civics teachers “deepen their knowledge of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other founding documents while exploring ways to bring real-world civic issues into the classroom.”
“Civics isn’t just memorizing dates and facts—it’s about preparing students to think critically and participate in democracy,” said Dr. Diane Yendol-Hoppey, a professor at UNF helping lead the project.
The second program is called “250 Years of Democracy.” It is led by FSCJ and focuses on professional development for 550 middle and high school teachers from more than 100 schools.
About $1.5 million will be used to offer online courses, workshops and trips to the Florida State Capitol.
This initiative ties into the upcoming 250th anniversary of America’s founding in 2026, encouraging teachers to highlight the nation’s democratic traditions while preparing students for today’s civic challenges.
The initiative gives teachers the tools to teach students about democracy, the importance of history, and how to engage in their communities.
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