In this issue:

• MCLC’s 2025 Advocacy Campaign Update
• MCLC Meetings this month
• Working Groups
• Next Quarterly Member Meeting - June 10, 3-4pm
• DESE Updates
• Events and Announcements

As you know, spring is state budget season, the focus of our advocacy efforts to ensure state funding for civics education. Currently, we’re keeping a close eye on the state budget process. Our line item (Line Item 1595-0115) stands at $2.5 million in the House of Representatives budget, as it was in the Governor’s budget. We are now looking to the Senate for the increased amount that we are seeking this year.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee will release its budget proposal this week. We’re hopeful that our request for $3.5 million, led by Senator Becca Rausch, will be included. If it remains at level funding ($2.5 million), we’re prepared to file an amendment by Friday, May 9, to advocate for the additional $1 million in funding.

If we do need to file an amendment, we’ll count on you — our Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition (MCLC) members and allies — to take action and help build support during the Senate debate.

Key Dates to Know

• May 6: Senate Ways and Means budget released
• May 9: Senate amendments due
• May 19–23: Senate budget debate week
• June: Conference committee deliberations
• July 1: Fiscal Year 2026 begins

If the $3.5 million request makes it into the Senate budget proposal, no advocacy will be needed in May. If it stays at $2.5 million, we’ll launch a coordinated call to action — so stay tuned!

Upcoming MCLC Meetings

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



2025 Civics Project Showcases



DESE’s Spring 2025 Civics Project Showcases hosted 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 

FY25 Civics Teaching and Learning Grant Update

For those seeking information regarding the timing for the release of the decisions on the FY26 Civics Teaching and Learning Grant, the DESE history and social studies team has been awaiting further information regarding the state budget prior to announcing grant awards. They now expect to release award decisions by mid-May, well before the grant start date of July 1. 

iCivics New Core Curriculum! Through Inquiry: U.S. History Beginnings to 1877

After three years in development and piloting in over twenty school districts in eleven states, iCivics is thrilled to announce the official launch of iCivics' first core curriculum: Through Inquiry: U.S. History Beginnings to 1877! The curriculum offers new dimensions to teaching and learning U.S. History and civics, and is designed to empower students to become informed and engaged citizens.

This full-year core curriculum, inspired by the Roadmap to Educating for American Democracy, takes students on a journey through the lives of people who lived on the land now known as the United States of America from 1580 to 1877. The US II counterpart, from 1877 to the modern era, is still under development, with a tentative release in the next 12 - 18 months.

Educators may view a sample unit and register for access to the full curriculum. iCivics is also offering professional learning to support implementation. Contact for additional information: david.buchanan@icivics.org.

Summer Intern Available

Professional Development Opportunity for History, Government, and Civics Teachers

The Case Method Institute (CMI) is offering exceptional, no-cost professional development opportunities this summer for high school teachers of U.S. history, government, and civics. These programs introduce educators to the case method and the History of American Democracy case collection, developed by CMI founder Professor David Moss of Harvard Business School. Educators who complete the PD gain access to:

• 22 Harvard-developed cases on pivotal moments in U.S. democratic history
• Comprehensive teaching materials
• Ongoing, personalized support from CMI staff

Two flexible pathways to participate:

• Live Zoom-Based Workshop

Takes place on Wednesday, June 18th, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET. This dynamic session features a live case discussion with Professor Moss and a Q&A with experienced educators. Includes 3–5 hours of preparatory self-paced work.

• Asynchronous Program

Start anytime. This fully self-paced option requires 8–10 hours to complete and provides the quickest way to begin using the case method. Participants may also join an optional live teacher panel after completion.

Apply now to join either program and bring the case method to your classroom.

Join the mailing list to be notified of future opportunities.

To learn more:

• 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