Last school term, as part of its ongoing high school reform initiative, the Pittsburgh Public Schools piloted a district-wide program for ninth graders called 9th Grade Nation.

One of the program’s central components was a new civics course, “Civics: Be the Change,” which called for students to begin a journey of civic awareness, empowerment, and engagement in their first year of high school.  A major objective was for students to identify issues that concerned them about Pittsburgh, its neighborhoods and schools and to help them see themselves as change agents in their city. 

From May 5 through 9, 2008, more than 1,200 ninth graders from the Pittsburgh Public Schools came to the “PPS Youth Roundtable” on the 31st floor of the Regional Enterprise Tower to voice these concerns and share their service-learning projects and ideas with approximately 80 community leaders. Among the issues discussed were gang violence, crime, school safety, gun control, drugs, and gas prices. The “PPS Youth Roundtable” afforded the students an opportunity to speak with community leaders and elected officials, to problem-solve and to become involved in making Pittsburgh a better place to live. 

First Lady Marjorie O. Rendell, fourth from left above, and members of the Pittsburgh Public Schools delegation gathered for a group photo at the conclusion of their June meeting in Harrisburg. At right in the front row is Consortium Executive Director Linda L. Croushore.

On June 2, 2008, teachers and curriculum developers from the Pittsburgh School District were invited by Judge Marjorie O. Rendell, the First Lady of Pennsylvania, to reflect upon the first year of “Civics: Be the Change.” 

They attended a luncheon at the Governor’s Residence to discuss ways to enhance and expand the program for the 2008-2009 school year. The First Lady offered her support through the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy (PennCORD), a unique union of educational, advocacy and governmental organizations committed to renewing the civic mission of Pennsylvania schools. Founding partners in the coalition include the Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania, under the leadership of the First Lady; the National Constitution Center; the Pennsylvania Bar Association; and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. 

The Consortium is a lead partner with PennCORD.

“The overall tone from the Pittsburgh educators was positive,” said Stephen G. Seliy, the Consortium’s associate executive director and the staff member who has spearheaded the development of the civic mission in schools. “They were pleased with the high level of student engagement in the civics course and the community-building that resulted.  Several changes will be made to the execution of the course for the upcoming school year to further impact the students’ civic learning experience,” he added.

Students from across Pennsylvania had a chance to make their voices heard on their roles in a civil society at the Consortium's third hearing in Harrisburg.