Montana State Legislature

American Political Science Association
Professional organization for the study of political science. Brings together political scientists from all fields of inquiry, regions, and occupational endeavors within and outside academe in order to expand awareness and understanding of politics.

Council for State Governments
Provides leadership education, research, and information services to executive, legislative and judicial branches of state governments.

National Conference of State Legislatures
Bipartisan organization that serves legislators and staffs of the 50 states by providing research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on pressing state issues.

Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship
Provides programs, institutes, activities and resources for educators to implement more powerful citizenship programs and opportunities that result in active student involvement in schools and communities. Affiliated with Purdue University.

Center for Civic Education
Educational nonprofit corporation dedicated to promoting an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy in the United States and other countries..

Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement
Conducts research on civic and political engagement of young Americans and provides data and analysis that helps clarify the strengths and weaknesses of civic education, broadly defined. Founded in 2001 with a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts and based at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University.

.Civic Education Project
Promotes pluralism and international standards in social science education in transitioning countries through the creation of knowledge networks and student-centered teaching.

Civics Online
Collaborative Internet project to provide teachers, students, and parents with an array of multi-media primary source materials, learning tools, and professional development resources to enhance current approaches to teaching civics in the classroom.

Close Up Foundation
Through Washington, D.C.-based experiential learning programs and multi-media publications, helps students and teachers nationwide develop the skills needed to begin a lifetime of active citizenship.

Constitutional Rights Foundation
Develops, produces, and distributes programs and materials to teachers, students, and public-minded citizens all across the nation with the goal of educating America's young people about the importance of civic participation in a democratic society.

James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
Through a national competition, offers James Madison Fellowships to individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution.

Lesson Plans for Social Studies Teachers
A collection of links to lesson plans and other resources on the Internet that may be of use to social studies teachers. Compiled by a professor emeritus of secondary education at California State University, Northridge.

National Council for the Social Studies
An umbrella organization for elementary, secondary, and college teachers of history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and law-related education.

Youth Leadership Initiative
Develops free K-12 civic education resources designed to encourage student interest and participation in the American political process. Students may participate in mock elections/mock constitutional conventions, a mock congress and campaign simulations, and teachers may download civics and government lesson plans.

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids
A service of the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Provides learning tools for K-12 students, parents, and teachers that teach how our government works, the use of the primary source materials of GPO Access, and how one can use GPO Access to carry out one's civic responsibilities.

Bill of Rights Institute
Educates young people about the words and ideas of America's Founders, the liberties guaranteed in our founding documents, and how our founding principles continue to affect and shape a free society. Offers instructional and curricular material, as well as e-lessons.

Civics Online
Collaborative Internet project to provide teachers, students, and parents with an array of multi-media primary source materials, learning tools, and professional development resources to enhance current approaches to teaching civics in the classroom.

Close Up Foundation
Through Washington, D.C.-based experiential learning programs and multi-media publications, helps students and teachers nationwide develop the skills needed to begin a lifetime of active citizenship.

College Voting Prep Guide
The guide includes a six-step process on how to vote, advice for students voting away from home, and describes the different types of elections and what to expect on a ballot.

Constitutional Rights Foundation
Develops, produces, and distributes programs and materials to teachers, students, and public-minded citizens all across the nation with the goal of educating America's young people about the importance of civic participation in a democratic society.

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
Fosters the principles and obligations of freedom through interactive educational programs for elementary and secondary students through to graduate-level programs. Engages teachers and leaders from all walks of life and celebrates veterans and their families with numerous

Public Achievement
A youth civic engagement initiative focused on the most basic concepts of citizenship, democracy and public work. Goal is to integrate civic education into institutions that work with young people and test whether young people can have an impact on problems in their schools and neighborhoods in a serious way and define this work in political terms.+

We the People
Promotes civic competence and responsibility among the nation's elementary and secondary students, in part through the use of simulated congressional hearings. Provides free professional development opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school educators; university and college professors; and members of the legal community.

Center on Congress
Works to improve the public's understanding of Congress and to improve civic engagement, especially among young people, as a way to strengthen the basic institutions of government. Explains the work and role of Congress through newspaper op-eds, radio commentaries, website articles and brochures, teaching materials, conferences, books, television spots, and videos and interactive learning programs for students. Affiliated with Indiana University.

Project VoteSmart
A Montana-based research organization that provides information crucial to self-government, such as voting records, issue positions, and campaign finance information. Also offers internship and volunteer opportunities.