As we prepare to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, and fulfill our roles as citizens by examining and discussing the issues driving the midterm elections, it is a vital time for schools to engage—or reengage—in the practice of civil discourse. How do we create school communities that are open to diverse perspectives, with faculty who can navigate difficult conversations fairly and effectively, and that provide students with meaningful opportunities to communicate, deliberate, and actively listen to each other?
For this year’s Civil Discourse Lab, Close Up is inviting school teams of educators—both teachers and administrators—to join us for a multi-day institute in July. As teachers gain the training and skills to implement our Civil Discourse Credential in their classrooms, administrators will focus on supporting teachers and fostering a schoolwide culture of civil discourse. Together, both tracks of educators will witness a powerful model of deliberation in practice—by observing students at the concurrent NextGen Roundtable: Decision 2026.
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Dates: Wednesday, July 8, to Friday, July 10, 2026
Location: Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202
Intended Audience: We encourage schools to attend as teams of educators, with each team made up of administrators (heads of school, principals, division leaders, or other administrators) and classroom teachers (especially those who teach government, history, social studies, humanities, or English). Teachers will follow the Classroom Teacher Track and administrators will follow the Administrator Track. The tracks will overlap at times, giving school teams opportunities to work together.
Conference Fee: $1,495 per person. Hotel rooms are available onsite and can be arranged through Close Up for an additional fee of $250 per night.
