State awards $890,000 for civics education

The Healey-Driscoll administration on Aug. 18 announced $890,000 in Civics Teaching and Learning Grants for civics education.

The grants, funded through the state’s Civics Project Trust Fund, will support educator professional development, civics curriculum development, and hands-on learning experiences.

Civics projects allow students to take active roles in their education and build collaborative skills, Education Secretary Steve Zrike said in a prepared statement.

“These grants will expand access to meaningful civic learning experiences and help students see how they can make a positive impact in their schools and communities,” he said.

Funding amounts between $5,500 and $74,980 were awarded to the following schools and districts: Andover, Arlington, Attleboro, Avon, Bellingham, Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School in Franklin, Boston, Cambridge, Christa McAuliffe Charter School in Framingham, Gill-Montague Regional School District, Gloucester, Greenfield, Hadley, Lowell, Malden, Milford, New Bedford, Newton, Norwood, Old Rochester Regional School District, Pittsfield, Prospect Hill Academy Charter School in Cambridge, Quabbin Regional School District, Stoughton, Taunton, Waltham, West Springfield, and Westwood.

Early this summer, the administration announced Teaching for Civic Empowerment, a new professional learning initiative designed to strengthen civics instruction. The new statewide effort aims to provide free, high-quality professional learning opportunities to 6,000 educators over five years to increase educator confidence and expertise with civics instruction.

In June, the administration released final recommendations for a statewide high school graduation framework designed to ensure every Massachusetts student graduates prepared for college, careers and civic life. The recommendations emphasize civic knowledge and skills through coursework and hands-on learning, including Civics Action Projects.