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2/25/2026
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Massachusetts stakeholders offer insight into transformative effects of funding for civics education
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STATE HOUSE – A panel of stakeholders in Massachusetts’ civics education trust have shared a message with Rhode Island: even a moderate investment in programs to teach civics education reaps significant rewards.
An online panel discussion held yesterday was sponsored by Rhode Island Civic Learning Coalition and the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island to offer support to legislation sponsored by Rep. June S. Speakman and Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Hanna M. Gallo to include funding for civics education (2026-H 7581, 2026-S 2233) as a categorical program funded in the state’s education funding formula, beginning with a $1 million allocation in the FY 2027 budget.
Although all middle and high school students have been required since 2023 to demonstrate proficiency in civics through project-based learning (under a bill sponsored in 2021 by Chairwoman Gallo), the state has never allocated any funding to support that requirement for every student in every district.
Yesterday’s panel discussion focused on the success of Massachusetts’ Civics Project Trust Fund, which was put in place in 2019. The $2.5 million fund supports professional development for educators and curriculum materials to support civics education.
The panel included Massachusetts Sen. Rebecca Rausch (D-Norfork, Worcester, Middlesex), a leader in the effort to increase funding for the Massachusetts Civics Project Trust Fund; Dr. Kelly Siegel-Stechler, director of the Collaborative Discussion Project at the Interactivity Foundation who has studied how school climate affects long-term democratic engagement; Lynn Public Schools Assistant Director of Curriculum and former history teacher Kristen Tabacco, who has scaled the community-based civics project across nine secondary schools; and Geraldo Acosta, a lead teacher at Lawrence High School who works specifically to ensure that civic learning is accessible to Latino and multilingual learners.
The panelists agreed that having funding makes an enormous difference in the success of Massachusetts’ civics education efforts. The funding is often used for curriculum and professional development to equip teachers, and is also used for outside-the-classroom experiences and other supports.
“Most students in Massachusetts do have access to high-quality civics education and teachers understand the benchmarks. All of these things have come to fruition because Massachusetts had patience and the flexibility provided by this trust fund,” said Siegel-Stechler during the discussion. She added that there is strong evidence in Massachusetts that the funding is helping to close the gaps between districts in civics education, and that the majority of students who work on civics projects are hitting the benchmarks.
Acosta noted that the funding makes possible incredibly valuable experiences for students. Many of his students have worked on projects to solve problems that directly affect themselves and their families, and some have convinced their city to pass ordinances and make other changes in the community. That experience has given kids confidence and taught them how to use their voice in space where they thought they had none, he said.
Massachusetts’ experience makes a strong case for Rhode Island to invest in civics education, said Representative Speakman.
“Having a strong working knowledge of how our government is intended to work is absolutely vital for every American for the survival of our democracy, particularly in light of the vast amount of misinformation, AI, opinions dressed as facts, and other confusing messages that are circulated on the internet today. Our proposal calls for a very modest investment of funds that will plant and nurture the seeds for civic literacy so that students graduate with the skills they need to be informed, active citizens,” said Representative Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol).
Chairwoman Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) was unable to attend the discussion, but said, “Fostering a civically informed public was one of the original goals when public education was established in the United States. It remains just as important today, and it merits financial support from the state. Students deserve civics education, and we all benefit when the public is fully informed about rights, laws and the functions of our government at every level.”
“As a sponsor of the 2021 Civic Literacy Act, I know that when we engage students in civic learning, they become more involved in their communities and develop as leaders,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, who participated in the event. “Students’ access to civic learning opportunities shouldn’t depend on where they live, and it’s essential that Rhode Island ensures funding is available for civic education to every student in our state.”
“Massachusetts has shown us that dedicated civic education funding isn’t just an investment in curriculum, it’s an investment in democracy itself. Their $2.5 million Civics Project Trust Fund has created a sustainable infrastructure that ensures every student, regardless of ZIP code, has access to quality civic learning. As Rhode Island considers similar legislation to pass a $1 million civics categorical fund, this panel discussion offers a critical opportunity to learn from Massachusetts’ success and chart a path forward that addresses our state’s urgent need,” said Kristina Pires, executive director of Generation Citizen New England and founding member of the Rhode Island Civic Learning Coalition. ”When only 22% of our young people demonstrate civic proficiency and fewer than one in five voted in the 2018 midterms, we cannot afford to let the 2021 Civics Literacy Act remain an unfunded mandate. Rhode Island’s students deserve the resources, teacher training, and curricular support that will prepare them to be informed, engaged citizens. This is about equity, opportunity and the future of our democracy.”
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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