2nd Annual Massachusetts Civic Learning Week (March 7-11, 2022)
Organized by the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition (MCLC), this week builds on and contributes to the state’s efforts to improve civic education in order to prepare all members of the Commonwealth to be thoughtful, informed, and engaged members of our democracy.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS [February 11, 2022] -- The second annual Massachusetts Civic Learning Week, which seeks to inspire and empower all of us to see themselves as participants and changemakers in our democracy, will take place from March 7-11, 2022. Organized by the Massachusetts Civics Learning Coalition (MCLC) in partnership with students, teachers, and community organizations from across the Commonwealth, the week’s 30+ events are free to attend and open to the general public.
The theme of this year’s Civic Learning Week is “Building Communities Through Civics.” To confront society’s most pressing issues, our democracy must also address the increasing political polarization and loss of trust in our democratic institutions we observe today. Facing these challenges requires civics education. Civic education provides students with the civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need to be champions of democracy who build, strengthen, and sustain their communities.
This country faces a civic education crisis following decades of inequitable access to and outright neglect of civics in K-12 schools. Massachusetts is at the forefront of civic education reform and leading a revival of the subject. In 2018, Massachusetts passed An Act to Promote and Enhance Civic Engagement, which requires that all students in Massachusetts take civics courses and have an opportunity to complete a student-led civics project in order to graduate. Earlier that same year, the state revised its History and Social Science Curriculum Framework for the first time since 2003 to incorporate a renewed emphasis on civic education. Civic Learning Week aims to build on and contribute to the state’s efforts to improve civic education in Massachusetts.
“This year we are excited to expand our Massachusetts Civic Learning Week to engage more students, teachers, school leaders, families, legislators and members of the broader community,” said Natacha Scott, Director of the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition. “We hope that this week brings attention to the importance of civic education and engagement by offering participants the opportunity to experience some of the amazing work and programming led by organizations across our Commonwealth.”
Throughout Civic Learning Week, attendees can take part in movie screenings, youth-led panel discussions, Q&A sessions with civic leaders, book readings, democratic simulations, curriculum and pedagogy workshops, social media challenges, and more. Events such as “Youth Stand Up: A Conversation with Civic Leaders”, “Living Room Conversations at the Boston Public Library: Civic Renewal”, and “Zoom with a Judge!” will provide civic learning opportunities to all - including students, educators, and members of the general public.
“As we have seen in recent years, our students and young people have more often played prominent roles in our democracy as active participants and changemakers. By continuing to provide them with a better understanding of civics, they can continue to have active roles in building and strengthening their communities,” said State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “It is exciting to see that Massachusetts is at the forefront of civic education by providing these resources to be better informed. Thank you to the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition for the role they play in the education of our students.”
“At this point in our nation’s history it is critical that we reinvigorate our democracy and elevate our participation,” said State Representative Linda Dean Campbell. “To this end, nothing could be more important than providing future generations with the tools to be effective leaders and contributors to our democracy than providing them the tools to do so. The MA Civics Coalition is a champion in this regard and I remain both excited and proud that Massachusetts is leading our country in civic education!”
“In an era where civil discourse is often lacking and misinformation is rampant, civic education continues to be a vital tool for a functioning democracy,” said State Representative Andy Vargas. Civics empowers young people with the knowledge and skills they need to fully engage with the issues that impact them. In an increasingly polarized time where our democracy is being tested, effective civic education is imperative. I am proud that Massachusetts continues to lead the country on this issue.”
A full schedule of events can be found at: https://www.macivicsforall.org/clw2022.
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 coalition envisions a Commonwealth where all students have equitable opportunities for high quality civic education that prepare them to be thoughtful, informed, and engaged members of their communities locally and beyond. Read more about the MCLC here.