Civic Education Center Reaches More Than 530 Participants Through Civic Learning Programs in 2025–2026

The Civic Education Center (CEC) is proud to announce the impact of its 2025–2026 programs, which engaged more than 530 students, educators, administrators, and community partners through civic learning, leadership development, civil dialogue, educator professional development, and State Seal of Civic Engagement initiatives.

Throughout the school year, CEC provided opportunities for students to move beyond learning about civic engagement and into practicing it. Through the Civic-Based Learning Program, students identified issues in their communities, conducted research, built partnerships, developed action plans, and implemented projects designed to create positive change.

Programs included the Educators Institute, Youth Summit, Scout Island Leadership Training, California Civic Learning Conference, Community Schools Initiative, Civil Dialogue Program, State Seal Leadership Program, and the annual Youth Civic Showcase. Collectively, these efforts reached more than 50 schools, 20 educational agencies, and communities across Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Merced, Sacramento, Placer, San Francisco, San Joaquin, and San Bernardino counties.

“This year demonstrated the power of giving young people meaningful opportunities to lead,” said Tammy Eggert, Chief Operating Officer of Civic Education Center. “Students didn’t just learn about civic engagement—they practiced it. They identified issues in their communities, developed solutions, built partnerships, and created projects that made a real difference.”

The Civic-Based Learning Program generated 219 participant engagements, including 190 students and 29 educators, administrators, and community partners. Student leadership development was a major focus throughout the year, with 46 students participating in the Youth Summit, 52 students participating in Scout Island Leadership Training, and approximately 60 student delegates representing schools across California attending the California Civic Learning Conference.

These experiences helped students develop leadership skills, engage in civic dialogue, collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds, and gain experience addressing real-world challenges.

The year culminated at the 2026 Youth Civic Showcase, where 32 student presenters representing seven schools shared the results of civic action projects they had developed throughout the year. Students from Herbert Hoover High School, Edison High School, Washington Union High School, Sanger High School, Sanger West High School, Farber Educational Campus, and Quail Lake Charter School presented projects addressing issues such as food insecurity, diabetes awareness, environmental stewardship, domestic violence awareness, health education, pesticide awareness, and community wellness.

Featured projects included:

• A1C: Know It, Control It – promoting diabetes awareness and prevention.

• Light Pollution Awareness – educating community members about environmental impacts and conservation.

• Hornet Health Fair – connecting students and families with health and wellness resources.

• Food Insecurity Awareness – highlighting hunger issues and available support services.

• Feminine Healthcare Access – increasing awareness and access to menstrual health resources.

• Domestic Violence Care Packages – supporting survivors through community outreach and resource distribution.

• Pesticide Awareness and Environmental Alternatives – promoting environmentally friendly pest management strategies, including the use of natural predators such as barn owls.

In addition to student programming, CEC continued to support educators through professional learning opportunities. The Educators Institute engaged 18 educators and school leaders representing multiple school districts and leadership roles, while the Community Schools Initiative connected educators, administrators, and community partners to strategies that strengthen student engagement and civic participation.

CEC’s Civil Dialogue Program engaged 138 students from nine Fresno Unified schools, helping students develop skills in active listening, respectful communication, perspective-taking, and productive civic discourse. Students participated in structured discussions designed to build understanding across differences and strengthen democratic engagement.

Another major area of growth was the State Seal Leadership Program, which partnered with Tulare Unified School District to increase awareness of the California State Seal of Civic Engagement. During the fall, approximately 125 students participated in civic engagement and State Seal workshops, while 48 graduating students were recognized in the spring for their civic accomplishments or were encouraged to pursue the State Seal of Civic Engagement.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this work is watching students realize that they have the ability to create change,” said Eggert. “Whether it’s earning the State Seal of Civic Engagement, leading a community project, or speaking before a statewide or national audience, students are discovering that their voice matters.”

The impact of these programs can be seen in students like Damian Martinez, President of the CEC Youth Service Council and a student at Fowler High School. Through his involvement in civic learning, youth leadership, community service, and civic dialogue, Damian earned the California State Seal of Civic Engagement, secured a $3,000 grant from the Shinnyo-en Foundation to support a student-led pesticide awareness project, and was selected to present at the 37th Annual National Service-Learning Conference® in Washington, D.C. His accomplishments represent the type of leadership development and community impact CEC seeks to cultivate in students throughout California.

“Our success is measured not only by the number of students we reach, but by what those students accomplish,” said Eggert. “This year, we saw students step into leadership roles, earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement, secure funding for community projects, present civic action projects, and represent their communities on a national stage. Those accomplishments reflect the dedication of students, educators, and community partners working together to strengthen civic engagement throughout California.”

As CEC looks ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, the organization remains committed to expanding opportunities for civic participation, leadership development, civil dialogue, and student-led community impact.

View the full 2025–2026 Annual Impact Report by clicking the button below.