In celebration of Civic Learning Week 2026, students across New York share perspectives and experiences while completing Seal of Civic Readiness capstone projects.
In honor of NY Civic Learning Week, the DemocracyReady NY Coalition presents a youth-led training for holding difficult civic conversations from Coalition member organization New York Student Engaged Citizenship (NYSEC) featuring co-founders, high school students Oliver Kaiden and Dylan Lemberg.
DemocracyReady NY’s fourth annual virtual statewide Summit on Civic Readiness is a centerpiece of New York Civic Learning Week. The event, titled “Reimagining Civic Readiness at 250–NY’s Past, Present, and Future,” featured a talk with historian Steven Mintz about the experiences of young people in New York State in the Revolutionary War years; a panel of youth civic leaders presenting their important research and advocacy work moderated by Kentucky Student Voice Team Co-Founder Andrew Brennen; and a youth-led interview with Melinda Person, president of NYSUT, about the role of schools and educators in ensuring civic readiness for the future of democracy.
Developing media literacy and critical thinking skills in elementary school is essential - and possible - 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. 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? Created by Inquiring Minds Institute’s student think tank in Brooklyn, NY, and filmed at Democracy Prep Elementary School.
The Second Annual Civic Readiness Summit explored teaching civic readiness amid increased political polarization.
DemocracyReady NY Youth Members, composed of high school students across from New York State, moderated a panel discussion on Civic Education in our digital world.
In a webinar event hosted by Democracy Ready NY and iCivics, the Center for Educational Equity's Michael Rebell unpacked critical questions like, “Can we get beyond the limits of standardized testing?” “Can we have authentic assessments that are flexible and reliable?” and “What are the equity implications of performance-based assessments?”
How can educators help our youngest citizens, who are inherently passionate about justice, liberty, and happiness, create a foundation of civic-mindedness?
Meaningful civic learning starts in the early grades. Hear from educators and other experts about how to lay a strong foundation for civic readiness in the elementary years with a whole child, whole school approach
DemocracyReady NY convener Michael A. Rebell discusses why we need civics with Dr. Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a renowned diplomat who served in high positions under four different U.S.presidents.
Explore ways to bring media literacy into the classroom across subject areas and the ethical, safety, privacy, and technological challenges of the media literacy landscape.
