McClinton, Cobbs Creek community organization celebrate state funds for new civics education program
Rep. Joanna E. McClinton October 29, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 29 – PA House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, joined officials from the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center Inc., Deputy Superintendent ShaVon Savage, School District of Philadelphia, and other local educators to celebrate a recently awarded $50,000 grant to fund a civics education program in several West and Southwest Philadelphia high schools.
“Our communities are stronger when we have an engaged electorate, and the best way to foster an engaged electorate is to start getting young people informed and involved,” McClinton said. “By investing in our students, we’re not only encouraging them to reach for their dreams and offering positive alternatives to violence, but we’re also creating our next generation of voters and community leaders.”
CCCEEC Inc. will use the grant, which was awarded by the state Department of Education, to develop a project-based learning program, We, The People Civic Education. Funding will support a program manager, a project monitor, materials, and a stipend for teachers in each school to implement the program. The program will be offered in 10 high schools including Motivation, Boys Latin, Overbrook, William Sayer, Science Leadership Academy @ Beeber, West Philadelphia, John Bartram, Overbrook, Hardy Williams Mastery, Parkway West, and Paul Robeson.
"Keep in mind that We, The People is a nonpartisan civic education program," says Ronald G. Waters, president of CCCEEC Inc. and 3rd Ward leader. "As a not-for-profit organization we don't advocate for any political party or specific candidate. Our goal is to empower students to engage in democracy, so they can be active young citizens with purpose."
ShaVon Savage, the Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services, volunteered her time supporting the development of a civics education curriculum early in her career as an attorney, and sees the importance of this work. "The School District of Philadelphia is excited to engage in this work and be in partnership with the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center, Inc."
We, the People Civic Education focuses on the topics identified by students who participated in CCCEEC summer programs between 2020 and 2022. Implementation of the program is already underway in several schools.