Civics Pathways 2024-25 Dates and Information

Pre-register for all pathways here

Pathway 1: Facilitating the Student-led Civics Project
Oct. 1 - Nov. 24, 2024

This pathway offers learning opportunities for teachers new to the student-led civics project and those who have facilitated the project already. The workshops and modules are suitable for both 8th grade and high school teachers.   

In-person workshop day (up to 7 PDPs)

• Tuesday, Aug, 20, 2024, 9am - 3:30pm (lunch provided), Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Boston, MA
• Participants can choose three sessions to attend. Topics include:
  • Introduction to the Student-led Civics Project
  • Process-based Assessment in the Student-led Civics Project
  • Strategies for Supporting Student-led Learning
  • Strategies and Tools for Facilitating Multiple Projects Simultaneously
  • Supporting Students with Disabilities in the Student-led Civics Project
  • Supporting English Learners in the Student-led Civics Project
  • Managing Classroom Conversations about Difficult Topics

Virtual workshops (1 hour, 20 mins / 2 PDPs each)

These workshops, facilitated by Massachusetts civics teacher leaders, will be interactive Zoom sessions. The workshops will be held during after-school afternoon and evening hours. This page will be updated with exact times by the end of March 2024.

• Introduction to the Student-led Civics Project: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024; repeated on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9-10:15am
• Process-based Assessment in the Student-led Civics Project: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024
• Strategies for Supporting Student-led Learning: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
• Strategies and Tools for Facilitating Multiple Projects Simultaneously: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024
• Supporting Students with Disabilities in the Student-led Civics Project: Monday. Nov. 4, 2024
• Supporting English Learners in the Student-led Civics Project: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024

Self-guided online learning modules (6 hours / 9 PDPs each)

• Modules open on Oct. 1, 2024, and close on Nov. 24, 2024. Participants can complete the modules at any time during this period.
   
• Module topics:
  • Stages 1 and 6 of the Student-led Civics Project
  • Stages 2 and 3 of the Student-led Civics Project
  • Stages 4 and 5 of the Student-led Civics Project
  • Conducting Research in the Student-led Civics Project
  • Connecting with Shareholders and Decision-Makers
  • Reaching a Wider Audience

Peer-to-peer Learning Hour (1 hour / 1.5 PDPs each)

Pathway participants will have the opportunity twice during the pathway to engage with other teachers to exchange ideas and plan for applying their learning from the pathway. Facilitated by DESE civics teacher leaders.

• Tuesday, Oct. 15, and Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024; 7-8pm via Zoom

Pathway 2: Powerful Pedagogies for Civic Learning, Grades 6-12
Jan. 6 - March 9, 2025

This pathway focuses on instructional approaches and strategies that teachers in grades 6-12 can use in any discipline to foster students’ civic learning and skill development.  

In-person workshop day (up to 7 PDPs)

• Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025; 9am - 2:30pm; Springfield, MA area
• Participants can choose three sessions to attend. Topics include:
  • Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy for Civic Learning
  • Linguistically Sustaining Pedagogy for Civic Learning
  • Managing Classroom Conversations about Difficult Topics
  • one additional TBD

VIrtual workshops (1 hour, 20 mins / 2 PDPs each)

These workshops, facilitated by Massachusetts civics teacher leaders, will be interactive Zoom sessions. The workshops will be held during after-school afternoon and evening hours. This page will be updated with exact times by the end of March 2024.

• Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy for Civic Learning: Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025
• Linguistically Sustaining Pedagogy for Civic Learning: Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025
• Managing Classroom Conversations about Difficult Topics: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, 9-10:15am; repeated on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025
• [TBD] Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025

Self-guided online learning modules (6 hours / 9 PDPs each)

• Modules open on Jan. 6, 2025, and close on March 9, 2025. Participants can complete the modules at any time during this period.
   
• Module topics:
  • Learning Through Inquiry
  • Engaging with Primary Sources
  • Media and News Literacy  

Peer-to-peer Learning Hour (1 hour / 1.5 PDPs each)

Pathway participants will have the opportunity twice during the pathway to engage with other teachers to exchange ideas and plan for applying their learning from the pathway. Facilitated by DESE civics teacher leaders.

• Thursday, Jan. 30, and Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025; 7-8pm via Zoom

Pathway 3: Civic Learning in Grades K-5
Jan. 6 - March 9, 2025

This pathway will support teachers in making the most of the civic learning opportunities in K-5 classrooms and curricula. Workshop and online module topics are being developed by Massachusetts elementary civics teacher leaders in partnership with DESE, Project Zero, the Democratic Knowledge Project, iCivics, and the Center for Educational Services. Workshop and module topics will be available in Summer 2024.  

In-person workshop day (up to 7 PDPs)

• Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025; 9am - 2:30pm; Fitchburg area
• Participants can choose three workshops to attend over the course of the day.
• The topics for these in-person workshops will be the same as the topics offered in virtual format (see below).

VIrtual workshops (1 hour, 20 mins / 2 PDPs each)

These workshops, facilitated by Massachusetts civics teacher leaders, will be interactive Zoom sessions. The workshops will be held during after-school afternoon and evening hours. This page will be updated with exact times by the end of March 2024.

• Wednesdays; Jan. 8, Jan. 15, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb. 26; 2025
• Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025; 9-10:15am
• The topics for these virtual workshops will be the same as the topics offered at the in-person workshop day (see above).

Self-guided online learning modules (6 hours / 9 PDPs each)

• Pathway 3 will offer six modules.
• Modules open on Jan. 6, 2025, and close on March 9, 2025. Participants can complete the modules at any time during this period.

Peer-to-peer Learning Hour (1 hour / 1.5 PDPs each)

Pathway participants will have the opportunity twice during the pathway to engage with other teachers to exchange ideas and plan for applying their learning from the pathway. Facilitated by DESE civics teacher leaders.

• Wednesday, January 22, and Wednesday, March 5, 2025; 7-8pm via Zoom