Joanna Perry Richman

PennCORD supports schools across the Commonwealth in their efforts to fulfill their civic mission by offering resources, training and participation in statewide and local programs. Founding partners in the coalition include the Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania, under the leadership of First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell; the National Constitution Center; the Pennsylvania Bar Association; and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

PennCORD has brought teachers, administrators, students and community partners together to champion the notion that, in order to preserve our democracy, civic education must be integrated into all students’ classroom experiences. PennCORD defines the teaching of active citizenship as engaging students in the pursuit of civic knowledge, public action, and democratic deliberation. In order to promote the adoption of local policies that strengthen civic education in our schools, PennCORD has assessed the state of civic education in Pennsylvania from the perspective of the teacher, administrator, and student; developed an advocacy kit that provides students with tools for becoming change agents in their communities; cultivated an ever-increasing number of partners who provide support to schools in their civic mission renewal process; and identified partner schools across the Commonwealth that model and implement initiatives that represent best practices. PennCORD offers a rich menu of teacher workshops on integrating civic education across the curriculum for all grade levels, K to 12 and continues to connect its growing number of PennCORD partners with schools. The PennCORD monthly newsletter highlights the accomplishments of Pennsylvania educators and publicizes events of interest to the education community