Release: Educators From Across the United States Convene in Philadelphia to Shape Nonpartisan Civic Education for America’s 250th Anniversary

Philadelphia, PA (January 20, 2026) — The Center for Civic Education and the National Constitution Center will convene 50 educators from across the United States for Teaching250, a national gathering focused on strengthening high-quality, nonpartisan civic education during the nation’s semiquincentennial year.

Held February 6–8, 2026, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Teaching250 will bring together classroom educators alongside representatives from more than 20 civic education organizations that are members of the Civics Renewal Network—a consortium of 46 nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations dedicated to strengthening civic life by increasing accessibility to high quality civics education resources in our nation’s schools.

The convening represents the largest collaborative effort to date specifically designed to develop America 250–aligned civic education resources grounded in constitutional principles and historical inquiry. It was made possible through a 2025 Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics Award, an annual recognition for Civics Renewal Network members, from the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

“As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the question is not whether we will teach America’s founding story, but how we invite students to deeply and meaningfully engage with its history and ideals,” said Julie Silverbrook, Vice President of Civic Education at the National Constitution Center. “Teaching250 is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: that teachers are essential stewards of our constitutional democracy. By bringing educators together at this moment, and equipping them with trusted, classroom-ready resources, we are investing in the people who help students understand our nation’s founding principles and their own role in sustaining them. The work is urgent, and it is vital to the nation at this moment.”

Over the three-day convening, participating teachers will work with each other and the representatives from the Civics Renewal Network to explore, test, and help shape instructional resources that support rigorous, nonpartisan civic learning. Sessions will focus on teaching America’s founding principles in ways that are historically grounded, inquiry-driven, and relevant to today’s students.

“If you listen, watch or read the news these days, it seems as if educators are shying away from engaging in civic education because of how polarizing it seems,” said Dr. Donna Phillips, President and CEO of the Center for Civic Education. “However, this pivotal convening of teachers from all across the country is proving just the opposite is true - digging in and finding ways to teach this essential content despite the times.”

Taja Butler, the Center for Civic Education’s Manager of Civic Learning Projects stated, “Teaching250 underscores the Center for Civic Education’s longstanding commitment to advancing high-quality civic education and supporting educators.” Butler continued, “The Center for Civic Education sets the standard in preparing students for informed and responsible participation in American democracy.”

Resources developed through Teaching250 will be refined following the convening and released later this year in partnership with the Civics Renewal Network, ensuring broad access for educators nationwide.

“Collaborative civic education projects always multiply the positive impact for teachers and students, and productive partnerships are a foundation of the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics (LAIC) mission. We are pleased to support this important initiative related to the America250 commemoration and celebration.” said Andrea (Ang) Reidell, LAIC’s Director of Outreach and Curriculum.

Additional support for the convening was provided by the Sutherland Family as part of the National Constitution Center’s Sutherland Teaching Program.

The Center for Civic Education is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating an informed and thoughtful citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy. We do this primarily through our flagship programs, We the People and Project Citizen, but we also provide high-quality, inquiry-driven curricular programs that bring civic learning to life. The Center additionally equips educators with professional learning that builds confidence and capacity to teach civics with depth and relevance, unlocks students’ civic agency by creating opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and share their voices through simulated hearings and other public forums. These initiatives build a national community committed to strengthening civic understanding and participation for all and root everything in decades of research and evidence.

The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.

The Civics Renewal Network, chartered in 2013, is an alliance of 46 national, nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations whose goal is to raise the visibility of civics education and make high-quality educational resources more accessible to teachers and learners of all ages. The Civics Renewal Network motto and guiding principle “A republic, if we can teach it”, echoes Benjamin Franklin’s famous words at the Constitutional Convention “A republic, if you can keep it”.

The Civics Renewal Network is facilitated by the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Learn more at: civicsrenewalnetwork.org

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