The Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition (MCLC) is a non-partisan coalition of over 60 nonprofits, educators, universities, and other partners committed to renewing our democracy by ensuring that all students gain the knowledge and experience of civic engagement to become thoughtful and active participants in building a better tomorrow. We believe that civic education has a vital role to play in the health of democracy and that everyone has a stake in the civic life of our communities, state, and nation.

Greetings!

Despite the interminable frigid weather, spring is coming! One of the first signs of spring is our annual MA Civic Learning Week that will take place March 9 - 13. This year, the week will offer events for many audiences, ranging from sessions on Careers in Civics, to a live Boston History Trivia Contest, to workshops on Climate Democracy, Advocating with Legislators, Voting for High School Seniors, and the 2026 State Ballot Initiatives. As always, the week will offer many classroom-student-facing events such as Zoom with a Judge, a Senate Simulation, and other engaging sessions for classes to attend. In addition, we encourage educators to attend the many civics offerings at the Mass Council for the Social Studies spring conference at Sturbridge Village on Friday, March 13.

You’re also cordially invited to our MCLC Legislative Briefing, which will take place Wednesday, March 11th, at 1:30 at the State House. The session will include Senator Becca Rausch and other leaders and will provide students and teachers (and we hope, a good number of YOU) an opportunity to share their experiences with legislators, urging them to continue to support the great progress made in our state on civic education. More details next month, so stay tuned!

In this Issue:

• Who We Are
• Register for Civic Learning Week!
• Upcoming Meetings
• DESE Updates (MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)
• MCSS Updates (MA Council for the Social Studies)
• Events, Resources and Announcements

Registration is now open for Civic Learning Week 2026, which will be held this year from March 9-13. The theme this year is “Liberty and Learning: Civic Education at the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution,” and we’re excited to bring together students, educators, policymakers, and local leaders to further energize this movement. As in past years, MCLC will host Massachusetts-focused events while National Civic Learning Week hosts events on the national stage.

You can support civic learning in 3 ways:

1. Join us at Civic Learning Week!

Explore this year’s sessions here and start signing up today. Sessions are signed up for individually. All events are free and open to everyone. You’ll see:

• Student-focused sessions during the school day, for classrooms to attend or watch together.  

• Teacher-focused sessions in the afternoons, to provide professional learning and support.

• Sessions for all, to engage policymakers, educators, and families in both advocacy for and celebration of civic learning.

2. Spread the Word!

Please share Civic Learning Week with your networks. We hope to bring together as many people as possible to highlight the importance of civic education. 

To make it easy, you can:

• Forward this newsletter.
• Share MCLC social media posts:
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Share our CLW website: macivicsforall.org/clw

3. Share the Toolkit!

If you’re looking for other ways to engage other teachers and their students, share the new 2026 Civic Learning Week Educator Toolkit with educators and encourage them to participate with their classes. The Toolkit provides suggestions for how to participate in Civic Learning Week, activities for students for Civic Learning Week, suggestions for communications, including sample social media posts, and a host of other resources to support active participation in Civic Learning Week.

If you would like to attend one of these meetings, please contact David Buchanan (david.buchanan@icivics.org).

Investigating History Grades 3-4 Preview Webinars: two dates

• 2/10 at 3:30 PM (recommended for schools/districts new to IH), or
• 2/11 at 10 AM (for schools/districts already teaching IH)

"Beyond the Showcase" Share Student-Led Civics Projects

DESE plans to include a new section in the monthly Civics Memo, "Beyond the Showcase." The goal is to highlight examples of student-led civics projects that have carried on beyond the designated classroom timeline and show the lasting effect that civics education (and the civics projects in particular) has had on students across the state. If you know of any, please let DESE know by filling out this form and they will share it via the next Civics Memo. Help us elevate the amazing work of Massachusetts students!

2026 Annual Conference

Friday, March 13, 2026, at Old Sturbridge Village

This year’s conference will include a robust set of workshops on two themes: 

• Social Studies in a Digital Age: Artificial Intelligence, Media Literacy, and Critical Thinking
• The American Story: 250 Years of Revolution and Resilience

Opportunities to participate:

1. Attend: $50 member districts and $75 for non-members. Registration is now open! 
2. Get involved!: Help to plan the conference and other events.

MCSS Membership

Districts and organizations should join today! Enjoy membership benefits, which include discounts for PD and the annual conference. Simply complete this Membership Form and cut a P.O. Don’t miss out!

Facing History and Ourselves: Media Literacy, Online Well-Being, and the Health of our Communities & Democracy: Webinar

Tuesday, February 10th, 7-8 PM.

This webinar explores how to help students understand the fundamental concepts and skills related to media literacy, highlighting opportunities and challenges for students’ well-being, social connections, and civic lives. Register HERE.

Dr. Carrie James, co-director of Project Zero and the Center for Digital Thriving, will share what she and her colleagues have learned from talking to young people for over a decade about their online experiences, and explore how educators can coach young people through both the opportunities and challenges presented by our media landscape.

Julie Halterman, senior curriculum developer at Facing History & Ourselves, will introduce her newly published unit, Media Literacy for Critical Thinking and Democracy, which teaches students essential media literacy, helping students analyze content, explore ways that information can be false or manipulative, and consider the connections between media literacy skills and the strength of democracies. She’ll also explore her experiences of integrating media literacy in their classroom. 

Massachusetts Trial Court: Judicial Outreach Month

The American Bar Association’s National Judicial Outreach Month is an initiative offering opportunities for engagement with schools, libraries, senior centers, and community groups.  

During Judicial Outreach Month in March, judges and judicial volunteers across the Commonwealth will visit community groups of all ages to build relationships with local communities, discuss how courts work, and highlight the role of an impartial and independent judiciary. Click HERE to request a visit!

Civic Learning Institute: Online Workshops

The Civic Learning Institute, an initiative of the Democratic Knowledge Project, is hosting three 90-minute online workshops this spring designed to support K-12 educators in fostering and strengthening civic learning across grade levels. Sessions are held on Zoom and led by experienced educators. Participants who complete a workshop will receive a certificate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Sessions include:

• Civic Learning Through Projects: Getting Started (Tues., February 24, 7:30–9:00 pm ET)
• Teaching Elementary Students to Have Effective Discussions (Thurs., March 19, 7:30–9:00 pm ET)
• Deepening Civic Learning through Community Connections (Wed., April 15, 7:30–9:00 pm ET)

Each session is just $10 per participant! Click HERE to learn more and register!

E-Book Launch: Making Americans: Plyler v. Doe and Opening the School Door by Jessica Lander

This timely ebook explores the story and impact of the 1982 Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe, which affirmed every child's right to public education, regardless of immigration status.  Excerpted from her book Making Americans, this ebook by award-winning author Jessica Lander explores the story, and lasting impact, of that decision.  It also incorporates valuable educator resources for teaching and supporting immigrant origin students.  All educators and advocates know this story!  The author’s digital toolkit includes sample newsletter language, social media posts, images etc. that you can share with your newsletter or social justice group. Re-Imagining Migration also created a free educator companion guide with discussion questions and a professional development outline for guiding conversations and planning action.

Submit announcements to the newsletter using our new submission form.

Deadline: 1st Monday of the month.