October 2025 Exchange
Shawn Healy, Chief Policy and Advocacy Advisor at iCivics and Andrea Benites, State Policy Lead, Mid-Atlantic Region at iCivics, led an interactive discussion where they shared not only a national perspective of civic learning and engagement, but also where New Jersey sits in comparison to other states. iCivics is a nonpartisan organization founded by Sandra Day O’Connor in 2009, dedicated to advancing civics learning and leading the movement to make civic education a nationwide priority.
We learned the Department of Education appropriated $153 million to support American History and Civics Seminars and that our own Montclair State University was one of the awardees of a portion of this funding. Another win for NJ and distinguishing factor around civic education is Laura Wooten’s Law, requiring a course in civics or US government, as well as instruction around media literacy, for middle school graduation. Questions were raised regarding the gap between legislation and content implementation, something CivicsNJ may explore next year.
CIvic Learning Week, Liberty and Learning: Civic Education at 250, will take place March 9-13, 2026. While a variety of events will take place around the country, a National Forum will be hosted March 9-10, 2026 in Philadelphia.
Click here if you’d like to view a recording of the October Exchange.
Below is a list of resources shared during the Exchange:
