NEW YORK Public Agenda and the Philadelphia-based National Constitution Center (NCC), the first-ever museum dedicated to honoring and explaining the U.S. Constitution and its relevance in daily life, are launching a major research and education project aimed at improving the public's understanding of the Constitution and the role it plays in their lives today.

The project, which is being funded with a $465,000 John S. and James L. Knight Foundation grant, will enhance the Constitution Center's efforts to foster civic participation by Americans of all ages.

Public Agenda will conduct a national study of the public's views about constitutional issues and work with the Constitution Center to develop citizen education materials, school curricula and outreach activities.

The Center, located on Independence Mall, was established by Congress to increase public awareness and understanding of the Constitution. This research and education project is being launched as construction continues on the Center, which will open on July 4, 2003.

Americans' Knowledge of Constitution Falls Short

Surveys have repeatedly shown Americans' knowledge of various constitutional guarantees falls short, but citizens well understand and cherish the fundamental values it upholds, says Deborah Wadsworth, president, Public Agenda. Public Agenda's partnership with the National Constitution Center is a real opportunity to create materials and activities to enrich the public'sparticularly students'understanding of this cornerstone of our democracy.

The public opinion study will document Americans' current attitudes and knowledge about the Constitution; diagnose current perceptions, misperceptions and possible obstacles to civic participation; and identify educational directions to enhance citizenship. It is scheduled for release on Constitution Day, September 17, 2002, the 215th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.

The National Constitution Center was created out of the undeniable need for education and understanding of one of the world's most important documents, said Joseph Torsella, NCC President and CEO. Surveys such as this one, in partnership with Public Agenda, will help us and others to understand that need more clearly, and identify how best to meet it.

Project to Enhance Civic Education

The research findings will be broadly disseminated to policy makers, the media, educators and adults in community groups throughout the country, visitors to the NCC museum and students. Public Agenda will also assist the NCC museum in exhibition and program development.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes excellence in journalism worldwide and invests in the vitality of 26 U.S. communities.

The National Constitution Center (NCC), located on Philadelphia's Independence Mall, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established by Congress to increase understanding of the U.S. Constitution and its relevance to the daily lives of Americans. It will be the first museum in the world devoted to dramatically telling the story of the Constitution through more than 100 interactive and multi-media exhibit components and artifacts. The Center will also house the Annenberg Center for Outreach and Education, which will serve as the hub for national constitutional education; electronic town meetings and broadcast debates; and as a home for visiting scholars and experts. The National Constitution Center will open on July 4, 2003. For more information, please call 215-923-0004 or visit the Center's Web site at www.constitutioncenter.org.

Public Agenda is a national nonpartisan public opinion research organization located in New York City. It is well respected for its influential public opinion polls and its balanced citizen education materials. Founded in 1975 by Cyrus R. Vance, the former U.S. secretary of state, and Daniel Yankelovich, the social scientist and author, its mission is to inform leaders about the public's views and to inform citizens about government policy.