DESE Civics Pathways Logo
DESE Civics Pathways Logo

Civics Pathways

DESE Civics Pathways is a free professional learning series for K-12 teachers that focuses on civics instruction and learning. Educators can choose from multiple workshops and online modules to personalize a pathway for their needs, learning preferences, and schedules. Topics include powerful pedagogies for civic learning in elementary and secondary grades, and the Massachusetts student-led civics project.

The DESE Civics Pathways are an initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, developed and facilitated by Massachusetts public school teachers with support from Project Zero and the Democratic Knowledge Project at Harvard University, iCivics, and the Collaborative for Educational Services.

Facilitating the Student-led Civics Project, Grades 8-12
(Pathway 1)

October 2024 - January 2025

Learn more about Pathway 1 Massachusetts public school educators register here

Powerful Pedagogies for Civic Learning, Grades 6-12
(Pathway 2)

January - March 2025

Learn more about Pathway 2 Massachusetts public school educators register here

Civic Learning in Grades K-5
(Pathway 3)

January - April 2025

Learn more about Pathway 3 Massachusetts public school educators register here

Are you not a Massachusetts educator? If you would like to take part in any of the Pathways 1-3 online workshops, please click here to pay and register.

Each of the three pathways includes:

  • An in-person workshop day (up to 7 PDPs)
  • Interactive virtual workshops (1 hour, 20 mins / 2 PDPs each)
  • Self-guided online learning modules (6 hours / 9 PDPs each)
  • Peer-to-peer learning hours (1 hour / 1.5 PDPs each)

You can follow a pathway in its entirety OR pick and choose components in or across pathways according to your needs.

Learn more and pre-register using the button above.

If you have any questions, please email civiclearning@gse.harvard.edu.