Close Up Civil Discourse Credential

We’re looking for innovative educators to help implement the Close Up Civil Discourse Credential!

Building on our 50+ years of working with schools to create a culture of civil discourse, Close Up is excited to unveil a formal credential for high school students launching in 2025! The Close Up Civil Discourse Credential, developed in partnership with Mastery Transcript Consortium, is a holistic measurement of students’ mastery of three key domains: Digital Citizenship, Communication Across Difference, and Analyzing Political and Social Issues.   

We believe this credential has the power to capture skills that are in high demand nationwide—in classrooms, on university campuses, and in the 21st-century workplace. That’s why we’re inviting educators to join us this July 30-31, following our Civil Discourse Lab in Washington, D.C., for a training to earn certification to introduce the credential to students.

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What is the Educator Certification Pilot Program?

The pilot program will engage a cohort of educators who are eager to implement the Civil Discourse Credential curriculum in their schools and create a next generation of young people with the skills and attitudes necessary for a deliberative democracy. Pilot educators will:

Participate in a two-day summer institute (July 30-31) to gain an understanding of, model, and practice the Civil Discourse Credential lessons and activities.

Implement the Civil Discourse Credential in one or multiple classrooms during the 2025-26 school year.

Join monthly online cohort sessions to receive support from instructional coaches and offer informal feedback.

Submit written feedback about the curriculum, rubrics, and competencies to inform the final version of the credential before it is shared nationwide.

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