Democracy and Public Policy Network at BGSU awarded federal grant to support education, outreach on American history and civics

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Democracy and Public Policy Network at Bowling Green State University has been awarded more than $620,000 in federal grant money from the U.S. Department of Education to support education and outreach on American history and civics, furthering its mission of promoting civil discourse and informed citizenship.

Leveraging the University's excellence and legacy in teacher preparation, the network will use the grant, which was awarded on Sept. 29, to establish nonpartisan learning communities among K-12 educators across the region over the next three years focused on developing and strengthening American history and civics education. Each cohort will consist of 40 teachers who will receive year-long training and gain expert insight from BGSU faculty to establish learning communities in their districts, culminating in a one-week summer seminar on campus to further hone their lessons and skills.

“Bowling Green is one of the leading universities in the nation for preparing K-12 teachers, and we are so pleased to be awarded this grant to create additional, meaningful learning opportunities for educators impacting communities across our region,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “We are incredibly proud of our work with the Democracy and Public Policy Network at Bowling Green to engage our students, as well as the broader community, in relevant discussions and dialogue. We look forward to continuing to extend the reach of this university-directed, independent work, which is absolutely central to our mission as a public university for the public good.”

Through the learning communities, the Democracy and Public Policy Network will help Ohio's K-12 teachers develop lessons and resources focused on the nation's foundational principles, including the ideas, traditions and institutions essential to understanding American government and history. Teachings will also focus on America's founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, the anti-Federalist Papers, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and more.

"We are honored to receive this grant and appreciate the federal government recognizing our work to promote civic literacy in the state and beyond," said Dr. Robert Alexander, professor of political science at BGSU and founder and director of the Democracy and Public Policy Network. "As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, the Democracy and Public Policy Network at BGSU will play a key role in helping Ohio's teachers and students better understand the importance and significance behind America's storied history and enduring legacy as a nation built on democratic principles and values."

In addition to assisting with curriculum and resource development, BGSU faculty will also provide participating teachers and their students with opportunities to participate in its signature community conversations and events, both on campus and virtually.

Recently, the network helped to put on a community town hall with President Rogers to gather insight and feedback for future University-facilitated public forums and policy discussions. The network also held its first-ever leadership luncheon with former Ohio governors Richard Celeste and Bob Taft in April, where over 500 people from across northwest Ohio, including college and high school students, registered to attend.

As a nationally recognized leader in nonpartisan polling on American government and politics, the Democracy and Public Policy Network will also conduct routine polls to gauge public insight on topics related to the nation's founding, heritage and civic health. The findings will then be used to further develop lessons and resources within the learning communities, enhancing civic literacy education.

Founded last fall, the Democracy and Public Policy Research Network at BGSU conducts nonpartisan research, polls and policy briefs that educate and inform students, the larger community and policymakers throughout Ohio and beyond.

The network also provides BGSU students with real-world, hands-on experiential learning opportunities and creative activities, including faculty-guided research projects, podcast productions, speaking engagements and workshops.