Perhaps it was the political events of 2020. Perhaps it was the racial events of 2020. Perhaps it was the global pandemic. Perhaps it was all of the above. Whatever the impetus, it feels like there is renewed interest and curiosity in civic education building in many sectors, including philanthropy.

Earlier this year, Educating for American Democracy (EAD) was released and the Civic Secures Democracy Act was introduced in both houses of Congress. The roadmap and legislation, respectively, signal a major opportunity to advance civic education in America. As such, the funding community is asking many questions about how they can support efforts, especially when it comes to policy. Funders are asking: What does policy momentum for civic education look like? What does it mean? How should funders get involved?

To answer these questions and more, PACE joined Philanthropy Roundtable and Grantmakers for Education to host a briefing and conversation about the latest in civic education policy. Shawn Healy, Senior Director of State Policy and Advocacy at iCivics, led the briefing, which included:

  • A case for stronger K-12 civic education
  • An overview of the major federal and state policy plays
  • Details about the groups and coalitions working to advance civic education policy
  • Specific suggestions for ways philanthropy could be catalytic

Shawn acknowledged one of the tensions in moving civic education policy forward is the concern — from both sides — that whoever is pushing the policy is trying to push an ideological agenda. But he shared that while we are sorting that out, we are losing time under-investing and under-educating young people in civics. He asserts: “The bias in the system isn’t liberal or conservative. Frankly, it’s a bias towards not doing civic education.”

Read the full article about civic education curriculum by Amy Baker McIsaac at Medium.