The Hechinger Report

MARCH 12, 2024

Yancy Sanes teaches a unit on the climate crisis at Fannie Lou Hamer High School in the Bronx – not climate change, but the climatecrisis. He is unequivocal that he wants his high school students to be climate activists. “I I need to take my students outside and have them actually do the work of protesting.”

Teaching 139

Teaching Civics K-12 Civic Engagement 139

The Hechinger Report

OCTOBER 15, 2024

What do you think of when you hear the word “civics”? For most adults, civics likely conjures distant memories of a high school course in which they memorized the three branches of government and other constitutional trivia. Unfortunately, that experience of civics hasn’t changed much.

Civics 125

Civics Museum Education Government 125

The Hechinger Report

OCTOBER 15, 2024

When my 8-year-old started asking questions about the world, it hit me that there wasn’t a lot out there to guide parents in teaching their kids about being active, engaged citizens. As a parent and as a professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, I’ve seen firsthand how important civic knowledge is to young people — and how it is lacking.

Civics 134

Civics Teaching K-12 Social Studies 134

Teaching American History

MARCH 11, 2025

Teaching government at Hilliard Darby High School in Ohio (a suburb of Columbus), Amy Messick helps students understand how our constitutional system works. She also encourages them to figure out their own political views and to actively engage in civic life. In 2023, he returned the encouragement Messick had given him.

Government 96

Government Controversial Topics American History Civics 96

ED Surge

OCTOBER 11, 2023

Fortunately, in light of democracy’s fragility, there has been a steady increase in initiatives from federal and state governments to incorporate civics education in K-12 classrooms. In 2020, California adopted a State Seal of Civic Engagement that high school students can earn upon graduation.

Civics 125

Civics Education Civic Engagement K-12 125

The Hechinger Report

DECEMBER 10, 2022

New Jersey is set to become the first state in the nation to mandate teaching media literacy to students of all ages as a bill with the requirement heads to Gov. A 2019 report from the Stanford History Education Group found that high school students had “difficulty discerning fact from fiction online.”. Subscribe today!

Teaching 136

Teaching Civics K-12 Social Science 136

The Hechinger Report

AUGUST 26, 2018

August 15, 2018 — The first day of school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. School systems are failing their students with outdated and inconsequential civics education that is only focused on facts and memorization. In short, they are demonstrating what real civic engagement looks like.

Civics 97

Civics Civic Engagement Government High School 97

Zinn Education Project

OCTOBER 20, 2024

Donate Today Right wing politicians and media outlets are attacking the very heart of the Zinn Education Project — teaching people’s history in classrooms across the country. Meanwhile thousands of classroom teachers refuse to be bullied into lying to children and have pledged to continue to teach the truth.

History 98

History Teaching Civics Middle School 98

Teaching American History

OCTOBER 22, 2024

Many students enter high school government classes knowing very little about the way the American constitutional system really works. All of these teachers were drawn to MAHG by its focus on primary documents, and most began teaching more consistently from primary documents after beginning the program. Little agreed.

Government 98

Government Teaching Civics American History 98

Teaching American History

OCTOBER 22, 2024

Many students enter high school government classes knowing very little about the way the American constitutional system really works. All of these teachers were drawn to MAHG by its focus on primary documents, and most began teaching more consistently from primary documents after beginning the program. Little agreed.

Government 98

Government Teaching Civics American History 98

ED Surge

JANUARY 17, 2023

In Jessica Lander’s classroom at Lowell High School, every student is a recent immigrant or refugee. And she’s been exploring innovative teaching strategies to help best reach her diverse students. They come from about 30 different countries, including the Republic of Congo and Cambodia.

Teaching 117

Teaching Civics History Public School 117

Let's Cultivate Greatness

MAY 31, 2024

Teaching civics and government is different from teaching history—it really requires a different set of go-to lesson ideas and projects. So, if you are brand new to the subject and need to know everything about how to teach civics, or you’re struggling to find ways to go beyond the textbook, welcome!

Civics 52

Civics Government Teaching Civic Engagement 52

The Hechinger Report

JUNE 7, 2022

history and civics curriculum to be more inclusive and equitable? As an Asian American, my lived experience and this research make me firmly believe that we must do a better job of teaching Asian American history and culture in the U.S. — Related: STUDENT VOICE: Here’s why my high school and others must address anti-Asian racism.

American History 117

American History History Teaching Primary Sources 117

ED Surge

SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

In 2020, California’s State Board of Education adopted criteria and guidance to award a State Seal of Civic Engagement to students who demonstrate excellence in civics education. There is no better way to integrate SEL and civic engagement for the next generation of learners.

Civic Engagement 137

Civic Engagement Civics K-12 Education 137

Let's Cultivate Greatness

DECEMBER 10, 2024

Its easy to focus on just the President when teaching the Executive Branch, but its important also to stress the role of the four million other people who make up this branch of government. Here are some of my favorite lessons and activities for teaching the executive branch in my high school Civics and Government class.

Civics 52

Civics Government Critical Thinking Social Studies 52

The Hechinger Report

FEBRUARY 11, 2021

West, an associate professor, and Professor Carl Bergstrom teach “Calling BS: Data Reasoning in a Digital World” (although the actual course listing uses the more colorful language). Related: Can we teach our way out of political polarization? We’re teaching web credibility as if it’s 2002,” he said.

K-12 145

K-12 Civics Critical Thinking Middle School 145

The Hechinger Report

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

While these issues can seem overwhelming to young students, exploring them within the context of their school can not only make lessons stick, but also encourage students’ sense of civic agency.

Teaching 130

Teaching Elementary School Civics Project-Based Learning 130

The Hechinger Report

MARCH 26, 2018

Michael Gallin is a math teacher at Kappa International High School in the Bronx. NEW YORK — Michael Gallin, a 34-year-old math teacher at KAPPA International High School in the Bronx, was winding his way through the cluttered aisles of his algebra classroom listening for sighs of frustration. Now, I say: ‘I can do this.

Teaching 110

Teaching K-12 Civics Psychology 110

The Hechinger Report

MAY 2, 2023

In K-12 schools, students are facing an onslaught of emerging technologies — new developments arrive by the day — and yet we’re still teaching many of our core school subjects as if our daily lives are unchanged by these tools. The goal is not to create an army of professional data scientists straight out of high school.

K-12 145

K-12 Civics Lesson Plan High School 145

Dangerously Irrelevant

MAY 31, 2017

Some folks know that I started my education career as a middle school Social Studies teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina. For instance, if I was teaching Social Studies today… My students and I definitely would be tapping into an incredible diversity of online resources.

Social Studies 76

Social Studies Teaching Archiving Geography 76

The Hechinger Report

OCTOBER 12, 2023

On May 31, a school board meeting in Hernando County, Florida, made national news when more than 600 hundred people showed up and the meeting lasted until 2:30 a.m. The county had moved the meeting to the high school auditorium to accommodate a large crowd. Florida Gov.

Civics 145

Civics K-12 Museum American History 145

The Hechinger Report

OCTOBER 22, 2020

eLearn.fyi is a database of more than 300 online resources, from a civics curriculum created by a former Supreme Court justice to engineering lessons for building a robotic arm. Other student entrepreneurs have applied their hard-earned wisdom to improving virtual school, too. Credit: eLearn.fyi.

Civics 145

Civics Digital Resources K-12 Lesson Plan 145

The Hechinger Report

MARCH 5, 2018

Laci Hargrove, 18, who fell short of the high school credits she needed to graduate, moved straight from high school to a HiSET-prep program that also provides her with needed social supports. When Laci Hargrove turned 16, she was a sophomore in high school with nowhere near the credits she needed for her grade level.

High School 78

High School K-12 Tutoring Elementary School 78

ED Surge

MARCH 9, 2023

There has also been an outlash of criticism on curriculum , coursework and materials, with efforts to restrict what educators teach, that has put racial, cultural and historical identities under attack. high school students. Civic behaviors and attitudes support the broader community.

Civics 145

Civics K-12 Social Justice Research 145

Political Science Now

OCTOBER 1, 2024

This summer, the American Political Science Association partnered with Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) District’s Summer Rise Program to offer three high school students the opportunity to gain experience in political science knowledge production and higher education non-profits.

High School 50

High School Civic Engagement Civics Social Justice 50

The Hechinger Report

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

We’ll never forget last year, when survivors of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, became leaders instead of victims, taking their cause all the way to Washington, D.C., The public high school I attended — River Bluff High School in Lexington, South Carolina — has one answer.

Civics 110

Civics High School Community Engagement Social Studies 110

The Hechinger Report

SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

To fix this, we need to deepen our investments in civics and history instruction, bolstered by an emphasis on critical thinking skills. Only one-third of native-born Americans can correctly answer the basic civics questions required of naturalized individuals to achieve U.S. We are not setting our children up for success.

Civics 123

Civics Education Critical Thinking History 123

The Hechinger Report

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Politicians around the country have been aiming to demolish progressive policies by targeting teaching about race and ethnicity, the LGBTQIA+ community and women’s reproductive rights. I taught my students to respect the power of civic engagement and social activism. Teaching is inherently activist. It must be resisted.

Civic Engagement 135

Civic Engagement Civics Education K-12 135

Let's Cultivate Greatness

JULY 16, 2024

Once kids are in high school, there usually isn’t time or the need to spend a whole week solely doing relationship-building activities. I might tweak my “Welcome to Civics class” activities a little year to year, but here are my tried-and-true favorite ones to do to establish a great foundation.

Civics 52

Civics Government High School Civic Engagement 52

Political Science Now

JULY 26, 2024

Join us for the 17th APSA Teaching & Learning Conference (TLC) , “Teaching Political Science Matters.” Join us for a unique meeting to promote greater understanding of high-impact practices and innovative methodologies for the political science classroom. The deadline to submit proposals is September 25, 2024, 11:59 p.m.

Civic Engagement 59

Civic Engagement Political Science Teaching Civics 59

The Hechinger Report

JUNE 20, 2017

Related: LISTEN: In this Kentucky town, refugees can choose a separate high school. The answer starts in the classroom, where civics education often fails to inspire and engage students. Far too many schools preach, rather than practice, democratic ideals. We need to learn civics from the ground up.

Civics 99

Civics Civic Engagement K-12 Government 99

Let's Cultivate Greatness

AUGUST 24, 2023

It seems like that’s precisely what’s happened now that the Citizenship Test is a high school graduation requirement in many states. I’ve heard many Government and Civics teacher friends in states that do require it talk about it being “one more thing” and “such a joke.” I want to share how I do it in my senior Civics class.

Civics 52

Civics Government Geography Project-Based Learning 52

ED Surge

OCTOBER 9, 2023

Brown loves — and has long loved — learning about history, civics, geography and government, in part because he had teachers who brought infectious energy and enthusiasm to those lessons. But nothing felt quite right, until he considered teaching. The following interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

History 128

History Museum Social Studies Geography 128

Political Science Now

JULY 16, 2024

Engaging Citizenship introduces foundational concepts in political science through the lens of citizenship, democracy, and civic engagement, highlighting the relevance of the discipline to students’ lives and encouraging them to become engaged and empowered citizens. McHugh, Merrimack College (Discussant) Richard M.

Political Science 55

Political Science Civics Civic Engagement K-12 55

ED Surge

JANUARY 10, 2023

Through my work as director of MIT’s Teaching Systems Lab , I’ve asked the question to teachers, school leaders, coaches, researchers and experts of all stripes (think: learning science, instruction, teacher education, culturally responsive teaching and so on), and it typically elicits more pauses and wonderings than answers.

Local History 127

Local History Civics Lesson Plan Social Science 127

Let's Cultivate Greatness

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Political cartoons are the perfect basis for so many civics activities and topics, regardless of ability level. Over the years of teaching high school Civics and Government, I’ve used them in countless ways with my students. Here are my go-to favorite civics activities I use with political cartoons.

Civics 52

Civics Government Teaching High School 52

The Hechinger Report

NOVEMBER 29, 2016

Fewer than 20 percent of high school students knew that simply looking at one photo online is not enough research to gauge if something is really happening. And among middle school students, 80 percent did not understand that “sponsored content” on a news organization’s website is paid advertising.

Civics 112

Civics Advocacy Elementary School Middle School 112