Close Up is a non-profit and non-partisan organization that believes a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens. Close Up has worked with schools, districts, organizations, and local governments nationwide to serve nearly one million young people and educators through our civic education programs since 1971. Our programming and professional development is focused primarily on student activities and teacher training that support the civics and literacy standards in ELA and History/Social Studies and help students become proficient readers, writers, and global citizens.