ABOUT THE INITIATIVE
A National Investment in Civic Education
The Power of Patriotism is a three-year national initiative designed to strengthen U.S. History and Civics education by equipping Educators and Learners with the knowledge, skills, and civic agency essential to sustaining democracy.
About The Power of Patriotism
The Power of Patriotism is a federally supported national initiative led by Long Island University in partnership with The School House and the American Emergent Curriculum. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the initiative delivers immersive U.S. History and Civics seminars for K–6 Educators and Learners across the United States.
Over the course of three years, the initiative will convene six intensive seminar cohorts, develop interdisciplinary Civic Learning Resource Sets, and support Learner civic action projects rooted in local community contexts. Together, these efforts are designed to strengthen civic understanding, instructional practice, and meaningful participation in democratic life.
The initiative prioritizes access for Educators and Learners from Title I schools, rural and remote communities, and historically underserved populations through flexible, low-bandwidth, and accessible delivery models.
Seminars
Classrooms
Communities
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
Why Civic Education Begins in Elementary School
A national initiative equipping educators and students with the civic knowledge, confidence, and agency to sustain democracy—beginning in elementary classrooms across the country.
Civic knowledge and democratic engagement are not developed at a single moment in time. Research and educational practice demonstrate that civic understanding is built gradually, beginning in early learning environments where Learners first encounter history, institutions, and shared responsibility.
Elementary classrooms are where foundational concepts—such as democratic participation, constitutional principles, and community engagement—take shape. When Civic education is developmentally appropriate, inquiry-based, and historically grounded, Learners are more likely to develop the confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking skills necessary for lifelong civic participation.
The Power of Patriotism initiative is intentionally designed to support Educators at this formative stage, providing them with the content knowledge, instructional frameworks, and professional community needed to teach civics with depth, relevance, and integrity.
A Semiquincentennial Initiative
In 2026, the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of its founding—a moment of national reflection on the ideals, institutions, and civic responsibilities that define American democracy. The Semiquincentennial presents a rare opportunity to examine how History and Civics are taught, understood, and applied in contemporary classrooms.
The Power of Patriotism initiative honors this milestone by focusing on education as a cornerstone of democratic continuity. Rather than treating the anniversary as a retrospective event, the initiative approaches it as a forward-looking investment in Educators and Learners who will shape the nation’s civic future.
By aligning historical understanding with active civic learning, the initiative transforms commemoration into participation—ensuring that democratic principles are not only studied, but practiced.
A once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen civic understanding for the next generation.
National Reach and Measurable Impact
300+
Educators and
Learners Trained
50K
Learners Reached Nationwide
15+
25+
States &
LEA's Engaged
300+
Learner-Led Civic
Action Projects
Each Educator participating in the initiative is expected to reach between 150 and 200 Learner annually, extending the impact of seminar learning directly into classrooms and communities nationwide. Student-led civic action projects further translate instructional experiences into meaningful, community-based outcomes.
Evaluation measures—including pre- and post-assessments, participation tracking, and instructional feedback—ensure accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement throughout the grant period.
A Collaborative Partnership Model
This initiative is delivered through a tripartite partnership that combines academic leadership, proven classroom practice, and scalable curriculum infrastructure.
LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY
Lead Institution & Grant Steward
Visit LIU.
THE SCHOOL HOUSE
Primary Implementation & Demonstration Site
Visit The School House.
THE AMERICAN EMERGENT CURRICULUM
Curriculum & Digital Platform
Visit the AEC.
This structure ensures both academic rigor and practical relevance, supporting high-quality civic education at scale.
Building Civic Capacity for the Next 250 Years
The Power of Patriotism initiative is designed not only to deliver seminars, but to establish lasting civic education infrastructure. Through open-access resources, national Educator networks, and replicable instructional frameworks, the initiative extends its impact well beyond the grant period.
By investing in Educators and Learners today, the initiative contributes to a stronger, more informed, and more engaged civic future—grounded in historical understanding and sustained through responsible democratic participation.