Friday, June 27, 2025
Dear Superintendent Watlington, President Streater, Board Members, & Administrative Team,
We are writing to express our strong support for the School District’s investment in civics education and student voter engagement—and to urge continued funding for these critical programs.
At a time when democracy and public institutions face mounting challenges, Philadelphia has the opportunity to lead the nation in preparing the next generation of informed, active citizens. The district’s Voter Champion program and Social Science curriculum development are already making measurable strides, and we believe with continued support, their impact will be even greater.
The Problem: Two years ago, funding cuts left Social Studies teachers with a half-finished civics curriculum and no voter registration program just as the 2024 election approached. While we were pleased the district restarted these programs in 2024-2025, we’re alarmed that funding is being cut again—leaving grade 12 Social Science the only unfinished social studies level, and eliminating voter registration support just when the programming is demonstrating meaningful gains.
The Success We’re Risking: Voter Champions deliver exceptional results by sponsoring student clubs and voter activities, hosting the statewide mock election, sharing election curriculum with colleagues, and taking students to voter engagement field trips:
- 57 staff at 49 schools registered 1,906 students (conservative estimate: 2,500 total)
- Achieved 31.25% registration rate among eligible students—more than double Pennsylvania’s 15% baseline
- Six SDP schools won Governor’s Civic Engagement Awards
- 18-year-old voter turnout (69%) exceeded citywide average (65%) in November 2024
- 800+ students worked as poll workers and interpreters on Election Days, collectively earning over $200,000 to learn and engage in the electoral process at the neighborhood level.
The Financial Reality: In-house Social Science curriculum writing costs less than $100K versus over $1M for a commercial textbook program. District teachers are developing locally relevant, high-quality civics instruction at a fraction of typical costs, yet this funding keeps getting interrupted. The Voter Champion program pays teachers only for the hours they engage student voters, with a great return on investment.
Partners with the School District, many signed on below, provide extensive free materials and services to Philly students, such as the Elections & Voting Lesson Plans, the PA Youth Mock Election, student field trip planning and staffing including the educational and joyful Student Voter Field Day at Martin Luther King High School, the Vote Early Day March at City Hall, the Student Voter Education Summit at Temple University, and the Philly Rises Tour at multiple schools citywide, and often bringing local and national media attention. They have also provided an ongoing series of free professional development workshops for hundreds of district teachers.
What Students Need: We ask the district honor the 2022 Philadelphia Board of Education Student Voter Education and Registration Resolution:
- Maintain Voter Champion program funding at current and sustained levels every year
- Fund the completion of 12 grade Social Science curriculum writing
The Class of 2026 deserves quality civics instruction, and the skills to engage in the voting process, as do the 8,000 seniors in Philly schools every year. Sustained and reliable funding is critical for every graduating class in order to fulfill the district’s promise of developing and empowering students, families, and Philadelphia communities.
Respectfully,
Angelique Hinton, Executive Director of PA Youth Vote
Lauren Cristella, President and CEO, Committee of Seventy
Beth Specker, Executive Director, Rendell Center for Civics & Civic Engagement
Chairman, City Commissioner Omar Sabir
City Commissioner Seth Bluestein
Minority Leader Kendra Brooks, Philadelphia City Council
Minority Whip Nicolas O’Rourke, Philadelphia City Council
Alaine Arnott, Chief Executive Officer of the National Liberty Museum
Michael Norris, Executive Director of Carpenter’s Hall
Thomas Quinn, Education Director of PA Youth Vote and teacher at Central HS.
Phoebe Bachman and Sarah Bishop-Stone, The People’s Budget Office
Deborah Gross, CEO of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts