This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
In a move designed to beef up civics education in schools, the Rendell Center for Civics & Civic Engagement will relocate to the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
The Rendell Center, led by Judge Marjorie O. Rendell of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, focuses on civics education for the younger grades, while Annenberg has concentrated on middle and upper grades.
Rendell started her work in civics education through PennCORD, the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy, when she was the state’s first lady. In 2013, she and former Gov. Ed Rendell formed the Rendell Center in partnership with the National Constitution Center and Arcadia University, where it has been located until now.
In July, the center will hold a weeklong training institute for teachers at the National Constitution Center, which will be co-sponsored by the Constitution Center, Arcadia University, and the Annenberg Public Policy Center. Called the Constitutional Scholars Institute, it will bring together scholars with K-12 educators to explore the Constitution and issues such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
Marjorie Rendell announced in January that she is moving to "senior status" on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals so that she can devote more time to civics education.