Welcome to the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools

The Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools is a coalition of 40 organizations committed to improving the quality and quantity of civic learning in American schools. The Campaign's goal is to increase and improve civic learning in grades K-12 by working for policies that implement the recommendations of the Civic Mission of Schools report. This includes efforts to bring about changes in national, state, and local education policy.

The idea of the civic mission of schools is not new. Many of our founding fathers advocated the establishment of public schools as the only way of preserving American democracy. We encourage you to explore our site and to learn more about the work of the Campaign and its coalition of partner organizations.

Feature of the Week: The Five Freedoms Project

The Five Freedoms Project is a national organization that equips local school leaders with the leadership development, coaching and support they need to address two of America's greatest challenges improving the performance of our public schools, and strengthening the quality of our civic discourse at the same time.

Launched in June 2008 with the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the project was founded on the belief that America's young people need educators who can do more than raise test scores; they need leaders who spark student learning by creating schools in which everyone has voice, value and visibility. The project also believes our democracy needs individuals with more than a vague awareness of the First Amendment's five freedoms (religion, speech, press, assembly and petition); it needs a new generation of citizens who utilize those rights in order to follow their consciences, speak out for justice and organize for change.

To learn more about the Five Freedoms Project's mission, goals and theory of action, visit www.fivefreedoms.org.