3rd Annual Civic Learning Week (March 6-10, 2023)
With renewed focus on civic education across the United States, Civic Learning Week 2023 is dedicated to further strengthening and sustaining democracy in the Commonwealth and beyond.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS [February 16, 2023] –
The third annual Civic Learning Week will bring together students, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to strengthen constitutional democracy by elevating and further energizing the movement for civic education across the nation.
Organized by the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition (MCLC) in conjunction with National Civic Learning Week, the virtual workshops and events are free and open to the public throughout the week of March 6-10, 2023. A full schedule of over 35 Massachusetts events can be found here and national events can be found here.
Given increased support for civic education from policymakers at the national and state level, this is a pivotal time to create dynamic learning opportunities that reflect civics as a national priority. In the past year, Massachusetts leaders increased the Commonwealth’s investment in civic education by 33 percent to $2 million, and Congress tripled federal investment in civics and history education to $23 million.
“The policy and financial investments we’ve made in civics education here in Massachusetts are yielding real, tangible results, and we should continue to increase those investments," said Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham). "Students, parents, and teachers are engaging with the government on the issues that matter most to them, learning how to advocate effectively, and visiting the State House and meeting with legislators, all of which strengthens civic participation long term and bolsters our democracy.”
"Our increasingly polarized political environment is yet another reminder of how urgent and critical quality civics education is to the future of our state and country,” said Representative Andy Vargas (D-Haverhill.) “Civics should be part of our school curriculums nationwide, and I'm proud to have been a part of the movement that made this law in Massachusetts. Every student deserves to learn about and participate in civic life. Building on this movement is more important now than ever."
Civic Learning Week programming enables educators, students, coalition partners, business leaders, and other community members to connect at the local level and beyond around a shared commitment to civic education.
Hosted by a mix of teachers, students, researchers, and educational leaders, Civic Learning Week events and workshops address top-of-mind interests and concerns for various stakeholders, including youth civic engagement and voting with sessions such as “The Role of K-12 Schools in Growing Voters,” “Finding Your Voice in Our Democracy,” and “Making Your Voice Heard through Journalism.” Other sessions address the legislative process, civil rights, media literacy, climate change, and game-based learning.
"Progress and Opportunity: Taking Stock of the 2018 Civic Education Law" will feature a live panel of legislators, students, and teachers at the State House. In addition, students have the chance to “Zoom with a Judge” and engage with other officials about their work in public service, and a number of sessions are designed for educators with a focus on “Facilitating Student-Led Civics Projects,” required by the Massachusetts civics law.
The full complement of programming for Civic Learning Week is intended to tap into civic strengths and convictions and to shore up democracy by illuminating dimensions of how government—at the local, state, and federal levels—works and how individuals can and should play a role in their respective communities.
“It is essential to bring students, educators, and the broader public into productive conversations around ways we can come together to sustain and strengthen our constitutional democracy," said Natacha Scott, Director of the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition. “In our self-governing society, everyone has a stake in our shared yet plural civic life.”
Contact Shafaat Ukishima to speak with the MCLC or other event organizers at shafaat.ukishima@icivics.org.
ABOUT THE MASSACHUSETTS CIVIC LEARNING COALITION
The Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition (MCLC) is a non-partisan coalition of 50+ nonprofits, educators, think tanks, universities, and other partners committed to preparing all students to become more civically aware and involved by ensuring that civics is a core component of every young person’s educational journey. The MCLC’s mission is to advance civic education and engagement in Massachusetts by convening a broad range of stakeholders committed to building support for innovative legislation, funding, and policies that facilitate high quality and equitable learning opportunities for students, teachers, and the wider public. The MCLC envisions a Commonwealth where all students have equitable opportunities for high quality civic education that prepares them to be thoughtful, informed, and engaged members of their communities locally and beyond. Read more about the MCLC here.