Our Mission

The Civic Ed Project prepares youth for active citizenship and inspires lifelong participation in our democracy. We achieve this mission by designing and implementing civics programs and curricula and by helping schools foster a climate for youth civic engagement and learning.

About Us

A "Networked NonProfit"

The Civic Ed Project is increasingly becoming a "networked non-profit" that works strategically in coalitions of likeminded organizations to achieve our mission.

"By mobilizing resources outside their immediate control," write Jane Wei-Skillern and Sonia Marciano, "networked nonprofits achieve their missions far more efficiently, effectively, and sustainably than they could have by working alone... [N]etworked nonprofits forge long-term partnerships with trusted peers to tackle their missions on multiple fronts."

The Civic Ed Project is currently forming a Civic Schools Network that will identify and share best practices in civic education and foster collaboration between and among schools, organizations, and service providers. We will do this through our new website, www.Civic Schools.org, professional development programs, conferences, and civic learning showcases.

Our Executive Director, Roy Karp, has been appointed by Governor Deval Patrick to serve on a Special Commission on Civic Engagement and Learning, which held its first meeting at the MA State House on December 19th, 2011. During the last few months, we have worked with Terry Yoffie, director of education at the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, to form a Massachusetts Coalition for Civic and Service Learning, which seeks greater support for civic education in the Commonwealth. 

Roy is also SY 2011-12 Chair of the Boston Code of Conduct Advisory Council, a group of parents, students, school staff, and other community members that advises the Boston Public Schools on revisions and implementation of the district's Code of Conduct.

The Civic Ed Project is also a member of the Massachusetts Coalition to Dismantle the Cradle to Prison Pipeline, led by Barbara Best of the Children's Defense Fund. In coordination with the Coalition, the Civic Ed Project is currently planning a statewide School Climate Solutions Conference at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester on October 13th, 2012.

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