NHPR is excited to announce a new partnership between our award-winning podcast Civics 101 and the Civics Renewal Network, an alliance of more than 38 – and growing – nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations that provide no-cost online classroom resources and materials for civics education. The Civics Renewal Network is a project of the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics at the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. Civics 101 is a podcast refresher course on the basics of our democracy, with accompanying digital lessons and materials for students, teachers and civics hobbyists. Both groups share a commitment to educating about the importance of civics education, the founding principles of democracy and the ongoing rights and responsibilities of citizenry.
Currently, about 42 states and the District of Columbia require at least one course related to civics education for high school graduation, according to a Brown Center Report on American Education, an annual analysis of the state of education in the U.S. Most states require two or three of these types of courses for high school graduation. Together, Civics 101 and the Civics Renewal Network strive to make civics and history lessons accessible to students and teachers across the United States. Both parties are committed to helping teachers find vetted, high quality resources. On the Civics Renewal Network portal, teachers can find resources from all of the partner organizations, searchable by subject, grade, resource type, standards, and teaching strategy, along with professional development resources, summer programs and contest information.
“We’re so excited to be a part of this national network, to share our resources with a wider audience and to learn from and pool our efforts with likeminded organizations dedicated to improving and enhancing civics education across the country,” said Erika Janik, Executive Producer of Civics 101. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for us to grow our national audience.”
Civics Renewal Network was founded in 2013 as a unique collaboration among 13 civic-minded groups. The group includes government organizations, nonprofits, educational institutions, and media. Today the network includes the National Archives and Record Administration, the U.S. Courts, the National Constitution Center, the Library of Congress, Annenberg Classroom, American Bar Association, Khan Academy and others devoted to elevating the importance of civics education.
"We are thrilled to have Civics 101 Podcast become a partner," said Ellen Iwamoto, who directs the Civics Renewal Network. "Its excellent resources bring a lively, fresh voice to the network, and we can't wait to help promote its resources so more teachers will use them in the classroom."
To learn more about the Civics Renewal Network:
- Visit civicsrenewalnetwork.org to find educational resources.
- Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at the bottom of the page.
Follow Civics Renewal Network on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.
To learn more about Civics 101:
- Subscribe to the podcast on a platform of choice:
- Visit NHPR.org to see print versions of Civics 101 stories.
- Subscribe to the biweekly podcast newsletter.
Follow Civics 101 on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.
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About NHPR
Since 1981, New Hampshire Public Radio has shaped the media landscape in the Granite State and beyond. Our mission is “Expanding minds, sparking connections, building stronger communities.” NHPR is broadcast from 14 different sites, making it by far New Hampshire’s largest (and only) statewide radio news service. Every week, NHPR is the choice of 152,000 listeners as a primary source of in-depth and intelligent news coverage and enlightening programming. Thousands more view NHPR.org, follow our social media sites, stream our service online, or listen to our podcasts. Each day, New Hampshire Public Radio delivers several hours of local news reported by its award-winning news team. Locally produced programs and podcasts include The Exchange, The Folk Show, Outside/In, and Civics 101, among others. NHPR is the exclusive outlet for NPR News in the Granite State and broadcasts national weekly programs such as The Moth Radio Hour, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, and This American Life. Visit nhpr.org to access our news and information.
About Civics Renewal Network
The Civics Renewal Network is an alliance of 38 nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations that provide free online classroom resources for civics education. A founding group of organizations gathered in April 2013 during a Civics Summit convened at the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. Sharing the belief that understanding the Constitution plays a vital role in creating knowledgeable and engaged citizens, they agreed to work together as the Civics Renewal Network to raise the visibility of civics education and to make high-quality resources more accessible to teachers through a one-stop website. The network partners also will collaborate on developing resources in the future and on events such as Constitution. CRN is a project of the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics at the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
