The Campaign for Civics, the result of which is this 12th grade BPS Civics Capstone Course: Power, Rights and Community Change, emerged from a youth-led project through the Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF) begun in 2003.  HSTF, itself, is a community-based organization that is also emblematic of the ways in which local residents, neighbors and citizens can and have assembled together to achieve significant social, political and economic change in their communities.

Take a moment to watch the video below:

The following is excerpted from the Hyde Square Task Force website:

“Founded in the 1980’s by a diverse group of neighbors, the Hyde Square Task Force began as an effort to reverse the trend of youth violence in the Hyde/Jackson Square.  This neighborhood, which straddles the border between Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, was once known as the “cocaine capital of Boston”; drug-dealing occurred openly on the streets and gang violence was rampant. To call attention to these problems, neighbors organized public meetings, peace marches, street cleanups, and crime watch groups.

After several years, residents realized that significant changes would be possible only through sustained preventative measures that focused on developing the skills of local youth and building positive relationships among youth, families and all residents. In 1991, the Hyde Square Task Force was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit to build the skills of youth and their families through civic engagement, cultural celebration, and community organizing.”

[Read more about the Task Force and its timeline history here]

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The following is an excerpt from a Peacework magazine article, published in September 2008, that briefly describes the work of the youth in HSTF on this campaign:

“The Campaign for Civics began as a Youth Community Organizing (YCO) project in 2003, with the goal of reinstating a long-abandoned requirement that Boston Public School students be required to pass a civics class in order to graduate. What began as a small focus group expanded to the YCOs’ main campaign. In the spring of 2007, the YCOs worked with City Councilor Chuck Turner to draft a hearing order — the first youth-written hearing order in the city’s history. In fall of 2007, the hearing order was put before the Boston City Council. Over 200 youth, family members, community members, and organizations were in attendance to show the students support. The hearing was successful, and civics classes will be piloted this fall.

Why are youth asking for an additional class at school? At the Hyde Square Task Force, YCOs have experienced the power that knowledge of civics gives them to improve their communities and their own lives. YCOs want to ensure that all Boston youth have the opportunity to become active, informed, and engaged members of society and they believe that a stimulating civics curriculum will do just that.”

[Read the entire article by clicking here]

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Click below for further information and documents about the origins of this civics course:

Press Coverage

Photos and Videos

Key Background Documents