In November, the Jack Miller Center hosted the third annual National Summit on Civic Education in Philadelphia, bringing together over 170 civic education leaders, funders, and practitioners.
The Summit theme, "Educators and Innovators: Our Civics Moment," highlighted many of the game-changing efforts that are making civics the defining cause of our generation.
|
|
|
As I noted in a recent piece in The Fulcrum, we were uncertain about the mood following a heated election. In my opening remarks, I emphasized that we were there to focus on solutions, not "admire the problem." The conversations that followed exceeded expectations, sparking real momentum for change.
|
|
|
Our discussions centered on practical solutions, ranging from civics in community colleges to classical schools, civics competitions, and more.
There was a palpable energy to bridge political divides in the classroom and foster open dialogue, brought home in the closing plenary panel on depolarizing civics with William B. Allen, Amy Rogstad Guidera, and Jane Kamensky, and moderated by Chester E. Finn Jr.
|
|
It was a genuinely bipartisan gathering, where reflective patriotism wasn’t just accepted, but embraced as the ultimate goal.
I encourage you to read Anika Prather's reflections from the Summit and Rabbi Abraham Unger's recent piece in RealClear Education for two compelling perspectives from different panelists and leaders in the classical education movement.
|
|
|
I'd like to extend a special thank you to our generous sponsors who are critical partners in this work. A full list of sponsors and programs can be found here.
As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, we’re preparing for our largest summit yet, set for May 18-19, 2026 in Philadelphia. Your support makes all this possible. Please consider making a year-end gift today to help us continue this important work.
|
|
Hans Zeiger
President, The Jack Miller Center
P.S. For more insight into the conversations at the National Summit, check out the 2024 Summit Magazine, "Can Civic Education Save Our Institutions?" featuring contributions from Carol McNamara, Garrett and Michele Exner, Justin Dyer, Yuval Levin, Martha McGeary Snider, and more!
|
|
The Jack Miller Center is a nonpartisan educational venture to advance the work of scholars who teach and study the ideas, documents, and history we hold in common as Americans. We seek to grow the talent pipeline of university educators who teach the American political tradition, to forge new models for university-based training of K-12 civics and history teachers, and to build a diverse coalition of Americans to ignite a civic education renaissance.
To learn more about our work, visit jackmillercenter.org.
|
|
|
|
|
