The document analyzes the background, issues, current status, and trends concerning citizenship education. In section I, historic and current forces which shape citizenship programs are presented. Civil education is traced from the revolutionary period to the present. Current influential forces described include global interdependence and advanced technology. Section II discusses the basic problems of defining citizenship and of determining the scope, degree, and locus of control of citizenship education. Current programs and promising directions comprise section III. Activities of state legislatures and education agencies, foundations, agencies, organizations, and program developers are discussed. Section IV discusses the trends and needs in citizenship education. It also suggests activities designed as a stimulus to generate ideas for groups who might want to take action to meet some of the current needs in citizenship education. A final section presents a bibliography and addresses of organizations and contact persons. (KC)