JOIN IN!! 

REGISTER TODAY FOR MASSACHUSETTS CIVIC LEARNING WEEK 

March 11 - 15, 2024

Welcome back from the vacation week!

With just two weeks to go until MA Civic Learning Week, take a moment to check out what’s happening and register for some of the events. The theme this year is 2024 and Beyond: Civic Learning as a Unifying Force, and we have a full lineup of free, virtual events that are open to all. If you’re a teacher, register your classes for some memorable student-focused events.

The week features something for everyone: 

• School day events intended for classrooms of students, including Zoom with a Judge, an opportunity for students from the elementary to the high school grades to speak directly with judges. Or join a simulation in which students debate regulations for Artificial Intelligence
• Afternoon professional development for educators, including insights from DESE staff and educators on effectively using the state’s new grant funding to build a robust civics program, and other sessions on assessment practices and teaching controversial issues and other topics
• General sessions to inform and inspire 
• On Monday (3/11/24, 10 - 11am), check out the Opening Session featuring a panel of young leaders who have stepped up to bring about change on a whole range of issues from mental health to youth voting and climate change.
• And on Wednesday (3/13/24, 2-3pm), join us for the in-person Legislative Session at the State House for educators and students to share their work directly with legislators as we seek to continue state support for civic education. You and your students can make all the difference.

Share what’s happening in your school!

In addition to the main events of the week, MCLC encourages educators to share what’s happening in your own school. How?

Check out the 2024 Civic Learning Week Educator Toolkit to access resources for planning and communicating your participation in Civic Learning Week. The toolkit includes planning resources, sample social media posts, graphic assets, and more.

Civic Learning Week reminds all of us of our role as part of this self-governing society, and that each one of us should strive to make civic learning and engagement a lifelong endeavor.

As Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said, “The practice of democracy…must be taught and learned by each new generation.” We look forward to coming together this March to highlight and further energize the movement for civic education in Massachusetts. 

FY25 Civics Teaching and Learning Grant Now Available!

Applications due April 1st at 5:00 PM - RFP here!

Apply for this competitive grant to strengthen civics teaching and learning for your students. School districts, charters, and collaboratives may apply for up to $70,000 in funding (exact funding availability based on size of district). Funds may be used towards:

• curricular materials
• professional development and/or collaborative planning
• support for civics projects
• hosting or participating in a civics project showcase
• instruction or activities related to the 2024 election cycle, including voter registration and voter education activities for high school students.

The full Request for Proposals can be found here. 

Note: The application for this grant is available via DESE’s new GEM platform (fund code 0589). If you are interested in applying for this grant and do not have a GEM$ account, please contact your district grants coordinator.