CCSS Session The California Campaign to Keep Civics Alive Saturday, March 3 Session 1:15 - 2:15 p.m.

1. The California Campaign to Keep
Civics Alive
CCSS Conference
Garden Grove, CA
March 3, 2012

2. Session Goals/Objectives
1) Provide an overview of the Campaign
2) Discuss the importance of civic education in
our schools
3) Any new research?
4) Prioritize policy recommendations of the
Campaign
www.cms-ca.org

3. History of the Campaign & Who’s
involved?
Civic Mission of Schools Report 2003
National movement
Specific states began their own campaign – in CA
we created – Educating for Democracy, The CA
Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
www.cms-ca.org

4. History of the Campaign & Who’s
involved?
County Offices of Education
Civic Education Organizations
Teachers, Department Chairs, Principals
Parents & Youth
www.cms-ca.org

5. Why is civic education important?
Students who participate in civic learning
opportunities are more likely to:
• persist in college and complete their degrees;
• obtain skills prized by employers; and
• develop habits of social responsibility and civic
participation.
A Crucible Moment – College Learning & Democracy’s Future
The National Task Force on Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement
www.cms-ca.org

6. Why is civic education important?
On a 2007 international ranking of 172
democracies, the United States ranked 139th in
voter participation.
Civic Disengagement in Our Democracy
McCormick Tribune Conference Series, 2007
www.cms-ca.org

7. Why is civic education important?
Civic Achievement Gap - as early as fourth grade
and continuing into the eighth and twelfth grades,
poor, African-American, and Hispanic students
perform significantly worse on the civics test of
the National Assessment of Educational Progress
(NAEP) than white, Asian, and middle-class
students.
Harvard Researcher Meira Levinson
www.cms-ca.org

8. Why is civic education important?
Recent data shows persistent and serious gaps
between Americans adults and youth of
various backgrounds in participatory activities
that require civic skills.
CIRCLE Fact Sheet - Civic Skills and Federal Policy
May 2010
www.cms-ca.org

9. Guardian of Democracy
The Civic Mission of Schools Report
2011 Update of the 2003
Report
Highlight of this report:
Promising Approaches are
now Proven Practices.
www.cms-ca.org

10. CMS Proven Practices
1. Provide instruction in Government, History, Law and Democracy.
2. Incorporate discussion of current local, national and international
issues and events into the classroom.
3. Design and implement service-learning programs.
4. Offer extracurricular activities that provide opportunities for young
people to get involved in their schools or communities.
5. Encourage student participation in school governance.
6. Encourage students’ participation in simulations of democratic
processes and procedures.
www.cms-ca.org

11. In pairs or small groups please discuss:
1. In your school/organization which
proven practice(s) is strong?
2. In your school/organization which
practice(s) needs work?
www.cms-ca.org

12. A Crucible Moment: College Learning and Democracy’s
Future
www.aacu.org/civic_learning/crucible/
Civic Learning and Engagement in Democracy: A Road Map
and Call to Action
www.ed.gov/civic-learning
Strengthening the Civic Mission of Charter Schools
http://www.aei.org/files/2012/01/06/-strengthening-the-civic-
mission-of-charter-schools_171609180133.pdf
Preparing Students for College, Career and CITIZENSHIP
http://www.lacoe.edu/DocsForms/20111208114444_CA%20FIN
AL%20Preparing%20Students.pdf
www.cms-ca.org

13. Recommendations for California State Policy
in Civic Education
1. Professional development in civic education
2. A systematic review of state curricula.
3. Revision of the CA History-SS standards that includes a clear set
of goals and objectives for civic education.
4. Civic education requirement for all preservice teachers.
5. Certification in civic education.
6. Resource allocation that will ensure a high-quality civic-
education.
7. The California State Testing and Assessment system should
include standalone assessments in civic education at a minimum
of three grade levels.
www.cms-ca.org

14. Civic Education Recommendations Feedback
In pairs or small groups:
•Discuss the policy recommendations
•Rank the recommendations or choose your top
three
•Share additional recommendations or suggest
changes to the ones listed
•Report Out
www.cms-ca.org

15. Please join the
Campaign in its
efforts to ensure that
all young people in
California receive
high quality civic
education.
www.cms-ca.org

16. THANK YOU!
For more information contact Katie Moore
katie@crf-usa.org or 213.316.2104
www.cms-ca.org

17. www.cms-ca.org