When we launched iCivics.org in May 2010, no one imagined that three years later we would be serving 40,000 teachers and six million students. But here we are, and thanks to you, iCivics is now the most widely adopted civics curriculum in the country! 

We have invested in the site over the years – adding badges, leaderboards, and impact projects – based on the feedback from thousands of teachers, students, and supporters. But as we enter 2014, we recognized the need to reorganize and redesign the user experience from the ground up. Our new site includes fresh features to help you find and use the resources you need (please let us know what you think):

• Easier access to teacher resources: lesson plans, web quests, libraries, and Drafting Board are now just one click away from the homepage.
• Educator registration for teacher resources: lesson plans and other educator resources are now reserved for registered teachers only, so students can’t access answer keys and we can better understand what you are using. 
• New look: New colors and graphics on the website are more mature and modern, per popular demand by students.
• Celebrating our story and our partners: we have tried to better explain our mission and history, the resources we offer, and the thousands of people and partners who have made iCivics what it is today. 

A lot goes into a site redesign and a number of people deserve special recognition. This work was supported with the financial assistance and expertise of the MacArthur Foundation, which has been a leader in digital learning. Curriculum Director Carrie Ray-Hill exorcised her tech demons and led this project skillfully. Our amazing Teachers Council gave her plenty of help, as constant advocates for the teacher and student experience. We also had design support from The Nerdery and our friends at Filament Games. Alex Stone, Jason Novick, and Jason Folwarski deserve special mention from this latter group. 

We hope you like the new look, but let us know either way. iCivics, like our democracy (sorry I couldn’t resist), is a work in progress. Onward!

Jeff J. Curley

Co-Founder, Executive Director