National organization and historic local landmark join coalition focused on expanding civic education across Pennsylvania
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Contacts:
Genevieve Greene, PA Civics and The Committee of Seventy, ggreene@seventy.org, 617-785-6991
Christina Veiga, News Literacy Project, media@newslit.org
Sarah Maiellano, Carpenters’ Hall, sarah@broadstreetcomms.com
Philadelphia – PA Civics, a statewide network formed in 2019 to strengthen and expand civic education in Pennsylvania, officially welcomed the News Literacy Project and Carpenters’ Hall as the 24th and 25th members of the coalition during its quarterly meeting on July 10. The News Literacy Project, the nation’s largest provider of news literacy education, and Carpenters’ Hall, the site of the First Continental Congress in 1774, join a growing list of partners that includes the Association of Former Members of Congress, the National Constitution Center, the Heinz History Center, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce and The Committee of Seventy.
“We are excited to have these two terrific organizations join our coalition,” said former Congressman and PA Civics Co-Chair, Jim Gerlach. “As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, our 25 partners are singularly and jointly committed to helping our schools and communities produce outstanding citizens ready to meet our future challenges.”
“Welcome to our new partners joining PA Civics to promote better civics knowledge, skills and action throughout Pennsylvania,” added former Congressman and PA Civics Co-Chair, Joe Hoeffel.
PA Civics was established in response to Act 35, which requires Pennsylvania students between grades 7-12 to take a test on U.S. history, government, and civics. Since its founding, the coalition has grown into a collaborative network that provides high-quality, nonpartisan resources to support civics instruction, including lesson plans, professional development, and classroom tools. Its partners also advocate for policies that strengthen civic learning and prepare young Pennsylvanians to become active, informed participants in democracy. The Committee of Seventy is a lead organizer of PA Civics.
“Reaching 25 coalition members represents significant momentum in our mission to strengthen civic education across Pennsylvania,” said Lauren Cristella, president and CEO of The Committee of Seventy. “The News Literacy Project brings national expertise in media literacy, a skill that’s become essential for informed civic engagement in the digital age. We’re also thrilled to welcome Carpenters’ Hall, a local landmark with national significance, as we approach America’s 250th – a moment to reflect on our founding principles. We couldn’t ask for better partners at such a critical time.”
According to a study by the News Literacy Project, 94% of teens say schools should be required to teach media literacy, yet most report they aren’t receiving that instruction. This partnership and expansion represent a dedication to supporting educators and closing this gap in Pennsylvania.
Through its District Fellowship program, the News Literacy Project has already supported news literacy instruction in the Cornell School District in Allegheny County and will soon announce an expansion to more districts across the state.
“News literacy is essential to a strong civics education and a healthy democracy,” said Charles Salter, president and CEO of the News Literacy Project. “Educators see every day how students struggle to tell fact from fiction — especially on social media. In today’s fractured information environment, news literacy isn’t optional. It’s a vital, nonpartisan life skill that every student deserves to learn.”
“As one of the foundational sites of American identity and democracy, we are excited to join this coalition and work with so many organizations that, like us, are committed to expanding and deepening civic engagement across Pennsylvania,” said Michael Norris, executive director of Carpenters’ Hall.
To learn more about PA Civics and to view a full list of PA Civics partners, visit pacivics.org.
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About Committee of Seventy
The Committee of Seventy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has promoted, supported and facilitated government ethics and election integrity for more than a century. Seventy advocates for more free, fair, safe and secure elections and works to ensure that every eligible voter votes, is informed when they vote, and votes with confidence. For more information, visit: https://live-c70.pantheonsite.io/.
About PA Civics
PA Civics was formed in 2019 by former members of congress and civic-minded organizations to support, promote, and expand civic education in Pennsylvania in response to Act 35. PA Civics offers resources to help educators develop curricula and build classroom environments that support civic knowledge, skills, and actions. Through advocacy and education, PA Civics emphasizes the importance of engaged citizenship, with a renewed commitment to civics in Pennsylvania’s schools. For more information, visit: www.pacivics.org.
About the News Literacy Project
The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan education nonprofit that works with teachers, school districts, states and community partners like libraries and after-school clubs to ensure students in all 50 states receive news literacy instruction before they graduate from high school. Learn more at www.newslit.org.
About Carpenters’ Hall
Known as the “Birthplace of Liberty”, Carpenters’ Hall is a treasure in historic Philadelphia. It hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774 and was home to Franklin’s Library Company, the American Philosophical Society, and the First and Second Banks of the United States. Carpenters’ Hall is free to the public and welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually. In 1857, it became the first privately owned American building to be opened as a historic monument. It was built by and continues to be owned and operated by The Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia.