Center for Citizenship Education (Centrum Edukacji Obywatelskiej)

The Centrum Edukacji Obywatelskiej (CEO) (Centre for Citizenship Education) was created to encourage change in educational practices in Poland. In 20 years the centre has grown into a respected non-governmental organization capable of implementing projects on a national scale. CEO cooperates with Poland’s Ministry of Education in the application of educational reforms, including the development of better school curricula and new teaching and assessment methods, particularly the wider use of project-based learning and formative assessment.

While developing innovative school curricula in the field of civic engagement, CEO also engages in a variety of activities targeting teachers, students and local authorities. It has helped more than 1000 schools become learning organizations that involve the entire school community, students and parents. Teachers are encouraged in peer-to-peer collaboration to effectively improve teaching and assessment methods; school leaders are coached in new skills needed for improving the functionality of their schools. Due to CEO’s involvement, Poland’s new national education policy now requires teachers and schools to transform traditional teaching methods.

Assessing students through effective feedback, not just grades, is encouraged to help students learn and build understanding and confidence. A number of CEO programmes involve student projects focused on inquiry, experiential-based learning and peer teaching, which leads students to a better understanding of key academic concepts. Other projects focus on social skills, active citizen participation and developing creativity and artistic skills. In 2015, CEO actively started to encourage discussions on refugees in Poland and climate changes and launched programmes in these areas as well. In 2010, the Polish Ministry of Education, assisted by CEO, introduced a new law requiring Polish middle schools to involve all students in project-based learning. It offered CEO the possibility of helping schools use Project Based Learning in their daily work, while engaging students in resolving local community problems.