Strengthening democracy by preparing all students for civic life
DemocracyReady NY is a nonpartisan, multigenerational, statewide coalition working to ensure high-quality civic learning reaches all students regardless of zip code.
Albany, N.Y. — Members of the DemocracyReady NY Coalition — including educators, parents, students, youth advocates, and civic leaders — met with state lawmakers to press for meaningful investments in civic education as part of the FY 2027 state budget. Learn more.
As New York approaches the nation’s 250th anniversary, coalition members warned that civic learning has been increasingly sidelined, and that without immediate action, too many students will graduate unprepared to participate fully in civic life.
DemocracyReady NY Coalition Calls Upon Legislature to Invest in Civic Education
Read Our Latest Report
Civic Learning in the Early Grades Is a Whole-Child, Whole-School Endeavor: Key Principles for Fostering Civic Education in the Elementary Years
Our P-12 schools have a vital role in fostering students who can safeguard our democracy and steward our nation toward a greater realization of its democratic values. This responsibility is more important than ever today in the face of the erosion of democratic institutions, changing school demographics, and new technologies. Yet, civic education in the early grades, in particular, has been deprioritized. Our latest report explores how educators and policymakers can prioritize civic learning in the early years.
Our Approach
We unite New Yorkers statewide to strengthen investment, policy, and practice to ensure all schools prepare their students for their civic responsibilities.
Our Activities
We work together to drive change to ensure all New York schools are fully equipped and supported to meet their students’ civic-learning needs.
