BOSTON — The North Reading Public Schools has been awarded a $24,800 Civics Teaching and Learning Grant through the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
North Reading was one of 47 Massachusetts public school districts, charter schools and education collaboratives to receive funding through this competitive grant program. The grant money will help support curriculum, professional development and collaboration to further local students’ civic knowledge and skills.
Under the 2018 civics education law, several new civics-related topics were added to the state’s History and Social Science Framework, including instruction on the function and composition of local, state and federal government, and the roles and responsibilities of a citizen in a democracy. The law also created a Civics Project Trust Fund, which provides funding for the Civics Teaching and Learning Grants.
“These grant funds will support our educators in providing students in all grades the opportunities to learn about their government, their roles as citizens, and the importance and impact of their civic action and engagement,” said North Reading Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Daly.
“Educators have been excited to participate in high quality professional development to support the implementation of new units,” said Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Sean T. Killeen. “The curriculum is designed to engage students’ curiosity and drive their learning of historical events, the structure of government, and civic responsibility.”
North Reading plans to use the grant funding to continue to assist educators working to support student-led civic projects for eighth graders at North Reading Middle School and seniors at North Reading High School. Through additional professional development and collaborative opportunities, the district will continue to look for opportunities to share projects beyond the grade and school level, including participating in showcases to recognize excellent work.
Professional development opportunities will be offered to social studies and humanities educators to support curriculum implementation and instruction of civic knowledge and skills in all grades, with a particular emphasis on grades 3-8. This will include all five schools and 25 educators and will impact over 1,100 students.
Using the Cornerstones for Civic Engagement curriculum, educators and students in grades 3-5 will have access to a high quality vetted curriculum designed to ensure all students have a greater understanding of the importance of civic engagement and responsibilities by providing them with cohesive and meaningful learning opportunities.
The elementary school focus will allow the district, schools and educators to make connections with the Cornerstone Units in concert with the Investigating History content. Within two years, the district will have revamped the content and curriculum experiences in grades 3-5.
By providing meaningful civic opportunities at the elementary school level, the North Reading Public Schools hope to provide students with a greater understanding of how systems and decisions can create obstacles impacting equitable access and opportunities for all, and to give students a better perspective on the value and positive impact of civic action. Through the coordination of professional development and high quality instructional materials, the school district will support professional collaborative planning sessions to enhance the scope and sequence of civics education in order to maximize the experience for all North Reading students.
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) commended Superintendent Daly and Assistant Superintendent Killeen for successfully securing this grant award.
“Incorporating civics education in the curriculum is critical to giving students an understanding of the importance of being involved in their community and taking part in the voting process once they turn 18,” said Rep. Jones. “The work being done in our public schools will provide North Reading students with the tools and skills they need to become active and engaged citizens, both before and after they graduate.”
“Equipping students with the knowledge and the skills to understand the structures and functions of government, and to participate effectively in our democracy are among the fundamental purposes of public education, and the leadership of North Reading’s public schools have once again demonstrated their commitment to that purpose by securing this grant and putting it to work on behalf of students and the community,” said Sen. Tarr.
