The 2018 History and Social Science Frameworks along with Chapter 296, An Act to promote and enhance civic engagement, renewed the civic mission of a history and social science education in Massachusetts: to prepare all students to be thoughtful and active citizens. Every student regardless of race, class, ethnicity, language status, religion, education, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability has the right to civics education, including effective pedagogy and applied learning. Civics education should be culturally responsive, develop students' civic identities, and center the acquisition of knowledge, intellectual skills, and applied competencies that citizens need for informed and effective participation in civics and democratic life.
Civics Resources
Massachusetts Civics Project Showcase
Civics Projects Guidebook (Online Version; Microsoft Word Version ): Guidance to support student-led civics projects, including a description of key project characteristics and stages of civic action.
Curricular Materials Guide: Grade 8 Civics (Online Full Report; Curricular Materials at a Glance ): Highlighted, high-quality instructional materials aligned to the Grade 8 United States and Massachusetts Government and Civic Life course.
Civics Project District Resource: Letter to State Legislators
Civics Projects Quick Reference Guide: Reaching Out to State Legislators & Legislative Aide
Civics Projects Quick Reference Guide
Civics Projects Reporting Requirements: FAQ
Professional Development
Upcoming:Civics Project Virtual Support Forum, "Where do I begin?": Strategies for Getting Started, will take place at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 1. Meeting Registration. The forum will be co-facilitated by two Massachusetts Civics Fellows, and offer ideas for getting started with student-led civics projects in both eighth grade and high school. Participants will discuss and analyze sample projects and "Stage 2: Issue Identification" strategies.
Archived:
Archived Monthly Memos
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2022-2023 School Year
2021-2022 School Year
Contact us! Email HistoryCivicsDESE@mass.gov
Last Updated: January 18, 2023
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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