Read and learn more about the Campaign for Civics, from its origins to its implementation, in the links below!  This page will be updated throughout the year.

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Boston Public Schools article–published February 12, 2009

Boston students give government officials a civics lesson.

“BOSTON – Mayor Thomas M. Menino, School Committee Chairperson Rev. Gregory Groover, Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and other city and state officials recently met with students from several high schools to discuss the future of Civics education in the Boston Public Schools (BPS).

The officials observed Mr. Efrain Toledano’s Civics class at the English High School, followed by a roundtable discussion in the school library during which students updated them on the program and discussed their plans for engaging Boston students more fully in civic activities. Participants included State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, City Councilors John Connolly, John Tobin, and Chuck Turner, and School Committee members Helen Dájer and Claudio Martinez. Mr. Martinez is also the Executive Director of the Hyde Square Task Force, which helped develop the Civics program.

“These young people are Boston’s future and it is critical that they become engaged in the issues facing our City,” Mayor Menino said. “We’re impressed with what we’ve seen and heard today and hope that we can find ways to bring Civics education to more students in Boston Public Schools”

[Read the full article by clicking here]

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Peacework Magazine article– published September 2008

“Walking through the streets of Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, one may think of ëtoday’s troubled youth,’ or ëinner city violence,’ and Jamaica Plain does have a reputation for gang behavior, violence, and drug use among its teens. But tucked away behind an old church in Hyde Square is an organization that has led many JP teens on a different path. The Hyde Square Task Force has supported and guided youth to participate in community activism and social change. Their latest project, the Campaign for Civics, has successfully changed the curriculum of Boston Public Schools (BPS)….”

[Read the full article by clicking here]

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Boston Globe article–published November 25, 2007

“It’s rare that teenagers ask for more required classes – but that’s what a group of youngsters wants from the city.

More than a dozen students from the Hyde Square Task Force, a nonprofit organization in Jamaica Plain that provides educational and support services to youth and families, have asked the Boston Public Schools to reinstate required civics classes for the city’s 11th- and 12th-graders.

“While young people are expected to become future civic and political leaders, and to work to better their communities, they are not taught the skills to assume those roles,” said Stephany Trinidad, 16…”

[Read the full article by clicking here]

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Jamaica Plain Gazette article–published November 1, 2007

BPS students push for new civics requirement.

“About 200 students and supporters packed City Council chambers on Oct. 18, demanding additional academic requirements for graduation from high school.

Boston Public Schools (BPS) officials said they appreciated the passionate plea, but would not commit to adding civics courses to the students’ workload.

The hearing, chaired by District 7 Councilor Chuck Turner, who represents Egleston Square, was called to “discuss the value and feasibility of developing required courses in the junior and senior year focused on civic participation broadly defined,” according to the council hearing order….”

[Read the full article by clicking here]

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The Bulletin Newspaper article–published October 25, 2007

Youths draft resolution calling for new civics classes.

“JAMAICA PLAIN — The Boston City Council held a hearing last week to discuss including new civics classes in Boston Public Schools. The meeting came in response to a hearing order drafted by the 60 teens of The Hyde Square Task Force in Jamaica Plain.

City Councilors Chuck Turner and John Tobin gave the youth advice on drafting the order, which is the first youth-drafted hearing order in the history of the Boston City Council….”

[Read the full article by clicking here]

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