In this issue:

• The February Member Meeting is cancelled.
• Civic Learning Week is coming!
• DESE Updates
• MA Council for Social Studies (MCSS) Resources
• Member Events, Announcements, and Resources

Welcome!

With so many challenges in schools and in the world around us right now, it often feels difficult to keep up. We hope that you will take a few minutes to check out the newsletter. While winter certainly has a tight grip right now, MCLC is moving ahead with what is to come later this season and this spring.

In particular, note that registration for MA Civic Learning Week on March 10 - 14 is now open. While we are still engaged in finalizing the Opening Session and a few others, you will see the wide variety of virtual and in-person events that are planned. The Legislative Advocacy Session will open our annual campaign for state funding that will take place throughout the spring to support the state grant program, professional learning, curriculum development and other projects for civic education. We aim to build on our now-long record of steady progress and success.

Please join in! We are stronger together.

Please contact david.buchanan@icivics.org with questions or if you would like to join either -or both - of these meetings.

Registration is now open for Civic Learning Week 2025, which will be held this year from March 10-14. The theme this year is “Civic Learning for a Strong Democracy”, 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 three ways:

1) Join us at Civic Learning Week!

Explore this year’s sessions here and start signing up today. 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.

3) Celebrate teacher and student work

We know there is great civic learning happening in schools across Massachusetts. Civic Learning Week is the time to celebrate it. If you have seen interesting, innovative, or high-quality work from students or educators (including yourself!) please help us build a collection of examples that we can share using the button below:

If you’re looking for other ways to engage other teachers and their students, share the new 2025 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.

Upcoming Grants Deadline

As you’ve likely already seen, DESE’s FY26 Genocide Education and Civics Teaching and Learning Grant opportunities are due February 28. To support districts in applying, we are offering office hours next week on Wednesday, February 12, 4-5pm. 10-minute meetings are available. While DESE cannot provide specific feedback on grant proposals, staff can answer clarifying questions. Sign up through the booking link!

Registration for 2025 Civics Project Showcases Now Open!

Register by March 15 to bring your students to a Spring 2025 Civics Project Showcase (Priority deadline: February 15)! DESE, in collaboration with Generation Citizen, will host four Massachusetts Civics Project Showcases across the Commonwealth in 2025. Showcases will be held on:  

• May 27th at UMass Dartmouth 
• May 28th at MassMutual Center in Springfield 
• June 2nd at DCU Center in Worcester 
• June 6th at Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston 

Students from any school or district may attend any Showcase. However, to ensure all events remain at capacity, schools and districts will be asked to rank location preferences when registering. Transportation funding is available! Register by the priority deadline (February 15) to be eligible for transportation funding and to receive location priority.

The Showcases will feature a dynamic "science fair-style" presentation format for 8th-12th grade students to promote deeper learning and provide real-world, authentic learning experiences.  

Students will: 

• Present and celebrate their civic projects with local community advisors and peers. 
• Engage in meaningful dialogue about their work, emphasizing process over product. 
• Receive valuable feedback from community members with expertise in their project area. 
• Be recognized for their civic engagement and contributions. 
• Learn from fellow students across different districts.

What do these events look and sound like? Check out these videos of the 2024 MA Civics Project Showcase and the 2024 GC Civics Showcase.

See more details on the DESE website, including a link to the registration form and an FAQ.

Questions? Email Faith Carbon at fcarbon@generationcitizen.org.

Social Studies Accelerator Program 

Are you a curriculum lead for social studies and passionate about strengthening social studies education? The Social Studies Accelerator team is excited to kick off the year by inviting system-level social studies leaders to join our inaugural System Leader Learning Lab (SL3). This is a fully funded professional learning and community-building opportunity for individuals working in K-12 school systems who lead decision-making on curriculum for social studies, history, civics, and related subjects. This growth opportunity will empower participants to develop high-quality academic programs and make a lasting impact on preK-12 students.

Learn more about the program or apply here by February 17th, 2025! Selected candidates will be invited to interview on a rolling basis and we will notify all applicants of their status in March.



Seeking Executive Director

Case Method Institute for Education and Democracy

All high school teachers of U.S. history, civics, and government are invited to join a special PD program offered by the Case Method Institute for Education & Democracy and Harvard Professor David Moss. The program includes a live, interactive case discussion with Professor Moss on Zoom on Friday, March 28, 11am – 5pm ET.

For those who prefer a self-paced option, we also offer an online program that can be started at any time.

Interested high school social studies teachers can apply at this link, find details on the opportunity in this flyer, and explore further here:

• Video: About the Case Method Institute
• Video: Professor Moss, on bringing the case method to high schools
• Website: The "History of American Democracy" cases

Want some help publicizing an event, resource or other announcement? MCLC can help. Submit info on your event or announcement via the Submit My Event form