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.

In this Issue:

• MCLC Message
• MCLC Action Items
• MCLC Upcoming Meetings
• MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Updates
• MA Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) Updates
• Events, Resources and Announcements
• Submissions for the Newsletter

Greetings!

Civic Learning Week (March 9-13) is almost here! Have you registered yet? This year’s celebrations of civics–both Massachusetts and National Civic Learning Week–reverberate with special importance as we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Explore the MA Civic Learning Week schedule and find an array of virtual and in-person events, expressly designed for students, teachers, policymakers, families, and community leaders. Find community with educators from around the Commonwealth through dynamic professional learning at the MCSS Conference. Join us to participate in the range of events and join in to connect with friends, colleagues, and others as we gather to celebrate the important place of civic education in maintaining and strengthening our constitutional democracy.

Reminder: Register for MA Civic Learning Week

Massachusetts Civic Learning Week is next week! This five-day event includes interactive activities for classrooms of students at all ages, professional development for educators, and engaging experiences for the general public.

Are you available to connect in person?

• Have some fun at trivia night,
• Advocate for civic education with legislators, or
• Attend sessions at the MCSS conference in Sturbridge.

Prefer to be online?

• See local experts on the national stage at the National CLW kickoff
• Browse sessions by audience (elementary classrooms, secondary classrooms, educators, general public)
• Keep an eye on our social media (Instagram, Facebook) for video messages from elected officials. Please like and share!

For more:

• Learn more about Civic Learning Week on our website
• Check out the 2026 Civic Learning Week Educator Toolkit

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

Other Special Events - see details in this newsletter

• MA Civic Learning Week Monday - Friday, March 9 - 13
• MA Council for the Social Studies Conference - Friday, March 13

Call for Updates: "Beyond the Showcase" Share Student-Led Civics Projects

There’s a new segment in the Civics Memo: "Beyond the Showcase." Its 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 a student-led civics project that continued beyond the classroom, 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!

Executive Office of Education

Offer Feedback on High School Graduation Requirements - Survey

• The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced a new public survey to help inform the creation and implementation of new high school graduation requirements. Students, families, educators, district leaders, businesses, and community members can complete the survey online, which should take 10-12 minutes. 

Bold Stories, Bright Legacies Education Project, from the MA Executive Office of Education



• As part of Massachusetts’ 250th Anniversary commemoration, the Bold Stories, Bright Legacies Education Project invites students across the Commonwealth to explore, document, and share diverse perspectives from our past. Projects may take the form of essays, artwork, performances, digital media, or other creative expressions that highlight community voices and civic stories. Submissions are due April 17, 2026. Selected student work will be honored during an event toward the end of the school year in May. 

To support educators, classroom handouts are available with prompts and guidance to help integrate the project into history, civics, and ELA instruction. Resources and submission guidelines are posted at Massachusetts250.org. 

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

The keynote, Teaching, Learning, and Leading in the Age of AI, presented by Dr. Torry Truss and Dr. Rob Malloy of UMass Amherst, will enlighten any SS instructors and leaders struggling to navigate teaching and learning in this new digital era. 

Registration is open and affordable for all: $50 for MCSS member districts, $75 for non-members. 

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.

iCivics We Declare Challenge

Join the celebration! As the birthplace of the American Revolution, Massachusetts has a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution through a statewide contest that will engage students with the text that began it all, the Declaration of Independence.

iCivics is excited to invite all 8th grade educators and students to participate in the exciting and high profile We Declare Challenge to perform a dramatic reading of this essential founding document. We aim to engage more than 6,000 8th grade students across more than 250 classrooms to bring the words of the Declaration to life in short and creative school-managed video submissions. This will culminate with public recognition at the 2026 Boston Pops July 4th Fireworks Spectacular in Boston and generous scholarship and cash prizes for the winning students, teacher and school. Check out the Challenge!

NAEP Public Comment

Later this year, the National Assessment Governing Board anticipates beginning the process to update the NAEP Civics Framework, a document that guides what civics knowledge and skills are assessed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP, also known as the Nation’s Report Card). The process will follow the Board’s Assessment Framework Development Policy, which outlines a detailed process for updating a framework, including convening a panel of subject and assessment expertise; working with an educator advisory committee and a technical advisory committee; and opportunities for public comment on draft updates to the framework.

The process begins, however, with public comment on the current framework, which is now open from February 17 to March 27.

 We are seeking comments on:

• Whether the Board should undertake an update; and, 
• If so, what it should consider in updating the framework. 

There is broad consensus that K-12 students need more civics education and assessing what students know is the first step for states to understand and improve students’ knowledge and skills in this important subject. You can read more about the Board’s perspective in this EdNext piece from board members Marty West and Patrick Kelly.

Please submit public comment via the NAGB website.

IH Magnify is Hiring for Implementation Leads!

Are you an experienced history/social science educator who's passionate about supporting teachers' growth and interested in expanding your impact on students? Join the IH Magnify team as an Investigating History Implementation Lead!

Implementation Leads partner closely with schools across Massachusetts using the Investigating History curriculum in Grades 3–7, supporting them through the adoption and implementation process and helping them more effectively engage their students in inquiry-based, student-driven learning. We are looking for people who love thinking deeply about teaching and learning, are skilled at building collaborative partnerships with educators, and want to be part of a growing team that is helping transform the social studies landscape statewide. 

Interested candidates should apply by March 6 for priority consideration.

Civic Learning Institute Online Workshops

The Civic Learning Institute, an initiative of the Democratic Knowledge Project, is hosting 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:

• Teaching Elementary Students to Have Effective Discussions

(Thursday, March 19, 7:30–9:00 pm ET)



• Deepening Civic Learning through Community Connections

(Wednesday, April 15, 7:30–9:00 pm ET)

Each session is just $10 per participant! Visit the Civic Learning Institute’s website to learn more about these opportunities and to register today.

Judicial Outreach Month 2026

Since 2017, Massachusetts judges have participated each March in outreach activities as part of the American Bar Association’s National Judicial Outreach Week. In 2019, the Trial Court expanded the program into a month-long initiative, creating more opportunities for engagement with schools, libraries, senior centers, and community groups.  

Judicial Outreach Month (JOM) aims to strengthen public understanding of the court system across the Commonwealth. Throughout the month, judges and other judicial volunteers meet with community groups of all ages to discuss how courts work, highlight the role of an impartial and independent judiciary, build relationships with local communities, and answer questions.

Submit announcements to the newsletter using the

submission form.

Deadline: 1st Monday of the month.