March 13, 2025
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute Partners with AMLE to Equip Educators with Civil Discourse Curriculum
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute Partners with AMLE to Equip Educators with Civil Discourse Curriculum
New Reagan Education Partnership to Provide Thousands of Educators with Tools to Foster Respectful and Effective Communication in Middle Schools
SIMI VALLEY, CA – Today the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute (RRPFI)’s Education team announced a new partnership with The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) to develop and distribute a specialized set of educational materials for fostering civil discourse in middle school classrooms. The initiative is part of the Reagan Education’s Civil Discourse Project, which gives educators the tools needed to teach students the elements of effective, respectful communication, modeled on the example of President Ronald Reagan, “The Great Communicator.”
“We are thrilled to partner with AMLE to bring the Civil Discourse Project to educators and students nationwide,” said Dr. Richard Schroeder, Chief Education Programming Officer at RRPFI. “This collaboration will provide middle school educators with engaging, ready-to-use lesson plans, professional learning resources, and strategies to cultivate meaningful dialogue in their classrooms. We know it’s more important than ever that young people and adults learn how to agree and disagree respectfully.”
The Civil Discourse Project for educators provides a structured approach to teaching students how to engage in constructive discussions while respecting differing viewpoints. The program offers:
A framework for civil discourse rooted in President Reagan’s legacy of effective communication and leadership.
Classroom-ready simulations, primary source materials, multimedia resources and engaging activities.
Professional learning opportunities for teachers, administrators and parents to support civil discourse both inside and outside the classroom.
“We are excited to collaborate with Reagan Education to create a vision for civil discourse education in middle grades,” said Stephanie Simpson, CEO of AMLE. “Middle school is a critical time for students to develop communication skills that will serve them for a lifetime. This partnership provides our 35,000-strong educator community with valuable tools to foster constructive discussions in their schools.”
As part of this collaboration, a workgroup of AMLE teacher leaders from schools of distinction across the country, from North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Minnesota, Hawaii and others recently joined the Reagan Education team at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to help shape the program. The finalized materials will be available to AMLE members and educators nationwide starting July 1, 2025.
The Civil Discourse Project has already reached thousands of students worldwide, including through partnerships with the Department of Defense Education Activity and its International Ronald Reagan Oratory Competition, which has drawn participants from all 50 states and nine countries. Additionally, the upcoming Ronald Reagan Debate Series will bring structured civil discourse opportunities to students at in-person regional debates in 13 states, a national online debate, and online debates globally.
For more information on the Civil Discourse Project visit https://www.reaganfoundation.org/education/ronald-reagan-civil-discourse-project.
About the Reagan Foundation and Institute
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (RRPFI) is the sole nonprofit organization created by President Reagan charged with advancing his legacy and principles – limited government, individual liberty, economic opportunity, freedom and democracy, peace through strength, and national pride.
A globally recognized nonpartisan organization based in Simi Valley, CA, with a leading policy institute in Washington, DC, RRPFI delivers impactful public affairs programming, policy convenings and projects of national and international significance, and distinctive educational initiatives. In addition, RRPFI sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the largest and most visited presidential library, which routinely hosts major special exhibitions.
An hour from Los Angeles International Airport, RRPFI’s Simi Valley campus sits on 400 acres, serves as the final resting place of America’s 40th President and former First Lady Nancy Reagan, displays a chunk of the Berlin Wall, and houses the plane President Reagan flew as Air Force One to 26 countries. Onsite are the Reagan Center for Public Affairs, Presidential Learning Center, Air Force One Pavilion, and the Reagan Leadership Academy. More information is available at www.reaganfoundation.org.
About AMLE, The Association for Middle Level Education
The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) is the world’s premier organization for middle level educators. AMLE is committed to the educational and developmental needs of young adolescents, providing resources, advocacy, and professional development for educators dedicated to this unique stage of schooling.
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