The objective of this research project is to create learning opportunities where teachers implement teaching strategies that lead to the development of civic skills in young people so that they learn to participate meaningfully in a democratic society. At the same time it’s focus is to contribute in the building of knowledge and innovative teaching and learning practices for the field of Education for democratic citizenship.

The research is led by Fernando Reimers, Ford Foundation Professor of International Education, Director of International Education Policy Program at the School of Education at Harvard University. It is conducted in collaboration with Via Education and the INIDE, Research Institute for the Development of Education of the Universidad Iberoamericana.

The project includes the design, implementation and evaluation of innovative strategies for democratic citizenship education, in order to identify best teaching practices and curriculum in the national context for the learning of democratic citizenship skills and attitudes of students in public schools in the country. Currently it’s being implemented in Nuevo Leon and Guerrero, with 120 teachers in public schools and about 4.800 of a eighth grade students.

Karla Rodriguez, student at high school 73 "Concepción Vargas, of Fomerrey 115 in the suburban area of St. Bernabé, in Monterrey, describes her participation:" The work on the project has brought us many benefits, such as improvement in the average notes of the group, the bond between tutors, communication with teachers. During the process, many of my classmates and myself learned that we can change, improve our skills, and every time, in common agreement. We know that in the end, everyone benefits. "

Experiences like that of Karla repeated in other schools that have implemented a participatory methodology and confirm that the active participation of students in the pursuit of common good benefits the entire educational community and restores confidence in the students, to rediscover their enormous capacity of transformation, especially in contexts with significant limitations.

The main activities of the research include a professional training program for of civics and ethics teachers, the application of a pre-test and post-test and continuously monitor the implementation of three innovative models of education. These models aim to strengthen teaching skills and competencies in students, one component is focused on the implementation of educational activities in the classroom and the other to the development of participatory projects to improve the quality of their environment by the students themselves.

This project is made possible through the collaboration of the University of Tufts, the Moral and Education Fomenting A.C. (FOME)., the Ministry of Education of Nuevo Leon and Guerrero, the Council for the Promotion of Values and Culture of the law, University of Monterrey, Loyola University, and thanks to the Civic Council of the Institutions of Nuevo Leon.