New York Civic Learning Week 2025 Events
Did you know all NY students have a right under the state constitution to an education that prepares them for engaged civic lives? Civic readiness is an important purpose of public education and a priority in New York State.
Learn about how our schools can fulfill their vital civic mission. DemocracyReady NY will offer a series of exciting free virtual events and resources during New York Civic Learning Week (CLW) 2025.
Sign up for as many as you wish. (All events will be recorded and shared with registrants who cannot attend live.)
Monday, March 10th at 4:00 - 5:00pm ET - The Right to Civic Education: A Conversation with Judge William E. Smith
U.S. District Judge William E. Smith who wrote the decision in the Rhode Island Civic Education case Cook v. McKee will discuss the case and his views on the importance of civic education with Michael A. Rebell, lead counsel for the plaintiffs and executive director of the Center for Educational Equity at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Tuesday, March 11th at 4:00 - 6:00 pm ET- 3rd Annual Summit on Civic Readiness, Build a Media-Literate Future: Youth Call for Action
Kids demand answers about media literacy. The webinar is a youth-led conversation about the responsibility of schools, big tech, and media creators in shaping how young people consume and understand digital content. Hosted by members of the DemocracyReady NY youth cohort, this event will feature expert insights, engaging discussions, and actionable strategies to support media literacy in an increasingly complex online landscape.
Friday, March 14th at 12:00 pm ET - Media Detectives crack the case of Click Clack Moo! Classroom video, media literacy, approximately 10 minutes, filmed in 3rd grade at Democracy Prep Harlem Elementary
Developing media literacy and critical thinking skills are essential - and possible - in elementary school when you meet kids where they are. Using the children’s classic Click Clack Moo, Cows that Type, this fun elementary classroom game involves children working together to find clues and recognize misinformation in media sources. While in this inquiry process they must think critically - read, share and analyze findings - to solve the mystery: exactly how did those cows learn to type? Register to gain access here.
Created by Inquiring Minds Institute’s student Think Tank, Brooklyn, NY.
Events from DemocracyReady NY Coalition Members and Others
Bringing Student Civic Learning & Reflection to Life with Infographics
Facing History and Ourselves
Tuesday, March 11th | 7-9 pm ET (VIRTUAL)
Join Facing History and KQED during national Civic Learning Week to explore ways students can identify, research, and communicate about issues they care about. Register here.
Rose Revival Panel Discussion with the Kentucky Student Voice Team
Kentucky Student Voice Team (KSVT)
Tuesday, March 11th | 7 pm ET
On January 14, the Kentucky Student Voice Team (KSVT) filed a lawsuit asserting that the Commonwealth has failed to meet its constitutional obligation to provide all students with an adequate and equitable public education. The case builds on the legacy of the landmark Rose v. Council for Better Education decision, which defined the capacities students need to thrive in a democratic society.
Join student leaders, legal experts, and KSVT advisors as they discuss the origins of this lawsuit, its connection to civic education, and what it could mean for Kentucky’s schools and students. Register here.
Unlocking Civic Careers
NYC Civic Engagement Coalition
Wednesday, March 12th | 5:30 - 6:30 pm ET (VIRTUAL)
Have you ever wondered how you could make a living working in the field of civic engagement? Join us online and hear from working professionals at a Civic Career panel guided by young people, for young people.
Civic engagement can be so many things and includes using skills like public speaking, advocacy, research, outreach, journalism, and more! You’re invited to meet individuals working in different aspects of civic engagement and how they got into the field. You’ll walk away with more knowledge about pathways in civics and how being involved in civic engagement and/or advocacy can help you build skills no matter what jobs you end up pursuing in the future. Register Here.
Civics for All Poster Contest
Civics for All, New York City Department of Education
Monday, March 10th - Friday, March 14th
New York City students in grades K through 12 are invited each year during Civics Week to showcase their civic engagement and artistic talent by participating in the annual NYCDOE Civics for All Poster Contest. The annual poster contest encourages students to:
- Learn about important issues
- Realize why student voice matters
- Understand and amplify why voting and active civic participation are important
Civic Learning Toolkit from the NY Unified Court System
To help kick off your Civic Learning Week program planning, the NY Unifed Court System's Statewide Civic Engagement Coordinator Zenith T. Taylor developed this Civic Learning Toolkit for a list of age-appropriate activity/event ideas and resources.
New York Civic Learning Week Social Media & Communications Toolkit
Use this social media & communications toolkit to spread the word about your Civic Learning Week activities. Tag us on social media and we'll share the message! @DemocracyReadyNy @EduEquity
#CivicLearningWeek
#CivicReadiness
#DemocracyReadyNY
#MediaLiteracy
#MediaLiteracyEducation
#NYCivicLearning25
#NYRightToEducation
#YouthCivicEngagement
Download the New York Civic Learning Week logo and social media graphics to use for your event promotions.
Use this sample outreach email template to spread the word about ways to get involved during NY Civic Learning Week.
Ideas for New York Civic Learning Week Activities and Events
Possible NY Civic Learning Week Activities for Educators and Other Stakeholders
Join DemocracyReady NY in celebrating NY Civic Learning Week. Plan one (or more) of these activities for preK-12 students during the week of March 10-14, 2025, and we’ll help you publicize them. Contact us at equity@tc.columbia.edu.
Show us how you’re celebrating! Share pictures on social media! #NYCivicLearning2025 #DemocracyReadyNY #NYCivicReadiness
To download and print the social media toolkit and list of activities find a Google document version here.
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Community Service |
Provide youth and other community members with community service, service learning, or volunteering opportunities in your area. |
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Develop a Lesson Plan |
Facing History and Ourselves offers a guide with a flexible collection of activities, readings, lessons, and strategies designed to help you develop a meaningful civic education experience in your classroom. Watch the KidCivics video series from Inquiring Minds Institute for inspiration on classroom conversations. The series is designed by kids to help children and adults understand how children can thrive during their time in school by engaging in democratic civic thinking and doing. In New York City, Civics for All provides resources, materials, professional learning, and student-facing programming to all NYCDOE schools. The initiative focuses on K-12 culturally responsive civic education models that are interactive, project-based, and relevant to students’ lives. |
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Essay Writing Contest |
Raise a question about the importance of civic education for youth to think and write about; offer a prize and/or opportunity for publication during Civic Learning Week. Last year, DemocracyReady NY youth members wrote reflective essays after their Civic Learning Week experiences. |
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Host an Elected Official |
Host a meeting, assembly, or classroom discussion with a school board member, legislator, or other local elected official. |
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Media Literacy |
Plan lessons encouraging students to build media literacy skills by asking key questions about content on YouTube, TikTok, or other social media. Visit Project Look Sharp’s website for free classroom materials! Another example from The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) is this lesson plan for grade 3-5 educators. |
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Multigenerational Advocacy |
Collaborate with a multigenerational group of people to call elected officials and engage in advocacy about the importance of civic learning, media literacy, or other specific issues. |
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Op-Ed Writing |
Plan lessons that encourage students to write op-eds and letters to the editor of a local publication or student newspaper on the importance of civic learning, media literacy, or another civic topic they care about. Here are some helpful resources from the Op-Ed Project. |
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Plan a Debate |
Plan a debate on a school policy or other topic of interest to school community members. Check out this Classroom Debate Guide from iCivics. |
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Show a Movie |
Show a movie that raises awareness about the importance of civic participation. |
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Student Interviews |
Provide opportunities for students to interview policy makers and educators supporting effective civic education through print or video. |
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Student Podcasts |
Encourage students to choose an issue that matters to them (local, state, national, or global), then make an audio or video commentary or podcast on that issue, combining personal experience and research/evidence. Here are examples from the Next Generation Politics youth-led podcast “The Round Table” |
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Town Hall Meeting |
Plan a town hall meeting to discuss what the civic mission of schooling means to your school or community. |
Need more inspiration? Check out the New York Civic Learning Week 2023 and 2024 events.