Civic Engagement by Charalee Cunningham

"define the skills, knowledge, and dispositions that students need to be informed and involved citizens and community members"

2025-04-03 01:08:20 UTC

I feel like this is an important quote from the article. Civics education, to me, helps to protect many of the communities we serve.

Blue Print for Action

2025-04-03 01:09:25 UTC

Blue Print for Action is made up of 4 key areas associated with school communities and students ( Curriculum, Instructional Practices, and Resources; Professional Learning; Community and Business Partnerships; and Student Assessment and School Accountability.)

acolao4 — 2025-04-03 01:09:40 UTC

Senate Bill 955 supports civic engagement by allowing excused absences for middle and high school students to participate in civic or political events, promoting real-world involvement in democracy.

Encouraging students to be involved in the community is great, but we need to ensure that we're modeling the same behavior.

2025-04-03 01:09:47 UTC

"define the skills, knowledge, and dispositions that students need to be informed and involved citizens and community members,"

2025-04-03 01:09:48 UTC

Having a clear direction and agreement on what we are looking for seems important - lots of room for interpretation, so working from definitions is always good

street smarts!

2025-04-03 01:11:03 UTC

Not all education comes from inside a school. It's great that other knowledge sources are supported through Civic life experiences.

The Blueprint

2025-04-03 01:11:22 UTC

"The Blueprint outlines a plan of action for students, teachers, administrators, business and community leaders, courts, and local government and elected officials to take immediate action to improve civic learning in all California schools and communities." This blueprint sounds like a great way for schools to help introduce students to civic engagement and becoming part of the community.

2025-04-03 01:11:25 UTC

How can we reframe this idea of citizenship when working with populations that come with baggage/trauma about legalization/naturalization and citizenship in the legal sense. Is civic engagement tied to citizenship? Does it have to be?

The Task Force

2025-04-03 01:12:16 UTC

The K-12 Civic Learning Task Force was established to make sure that students have all the necessary tools to be "informed and involved" citizens.

"“unless people with diverse backgrounds and experiences become decision-makers, we cannot have just or wise policies,”

2025-04-03 01:12:26 UTC

Love this quote from "Civics from the 21st Century" because it's a reminder that marginalization does not mean powerlessness. The same we teach our children lessons, traditions, etc. we MUST teach them political structures and realities in order to protect and inspire.

Youth Civic Development and Education Conference

2025-04-03 01:13:22 UTC

This conference was a public event that brought together seven distinguished experts on youth civic development and citizenship education to analyze the cutting-edge questions and problems that must be resolved in order to ensure civic development and participation among American youth from all backgrounds.

Community and Business PArtnerships

2025-04-03 01:13:46 UTC

By introducing students to the active citizens and business in the community, it allows them to see real life examples and importance of civic engagement learning.

Great that it includes community and other aspects of life outside of the classroom. Also, wish more schools would spend time on school accountability.

2025-04-03 01:13:52 UTC

WHY behind focusing on Civic Engagement

2025-04-03 01:14:41 UTC

"Through civic engagement activities, young people connect with the community, learn respectful dialogue, teamwork, and appreciate diversity." School climate is constantly a focus and things like PBIS and behavioral programs feel like a bandaid to a problem when this isn't there.

these individuals disagree about some aspects of how civic education should be conducted, but nevertheless share a common vision of a richer, more comprehensive approach to civic education in the United States

2025-04-03 01:14:56 UTC

I like this idea from "Civic mission of schools" becuase I feel like it directly relates to an element of civic learning, where we as humans have the ability to have our own opinions, and we may not agree on these opinions but we can agree to disagree!

2025-04-03 01:15:16 UTC

The California Task Force highlights a strong commitment to preparing students for active citizenship by emphasizing essential civic skills and knowledge.

Staffing Discrepancies

2025-04-03 01:16:19 UTC

There is less intentional staffing of the departments like history, social science, and civic based structures compared to English Language Arts, math, and science.

Facing History and Ourselves

2025-04-03 01:16:42 UTC

uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to racism, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry and hate offers lesson plans specifically for social science and ELA teachers on how to incorporate real-life civics lessons in the classroom

Revitalizing K–12 Civic Learning in California:

2025-04-03 01:17:04 UTC

The Blueprint is a plan to improve civic learning for students, teachers, admin, community leaders, courts and local gov.

2025-04-03 01:17:46 UTC

Civic engagement allows students to see the relevance in our content!

Center for Civic Education

2025-04-03 01:17:54 UTC

This resources provides lesson plans, videos/podcasts, self-paced courses, and professional learning opportunities for educators about civil education. This can really help teacher create a learning positive learning environment for all their students and encourages them to be leaders.

California's Commitment

2025-04-03 01:17:55 UTC

Schools are vital to preparing young people to draw on evidence and learn about a range of issues, to engage in dialogue with others to voice their perspectives in thoughtful and effective ways so they can take informed action in their communities and society.

"The term “civility” can be used to silence voices that challenge the status quo"

2025-04-03 01:18:07 UTC

I picked this quote because it threads together the other quotes I picked and speaks to the dangers of "common sense" and "status quo." The danger being that those in power know how to use bureaucracy to push forward their own agendas. I think back to many recent town halls where citizens have seen their representatives demean, scold, infantilize, invalidate, and dehumanize the voices and actions of resistance.

"Fostering Civil Discourse"

2025-04-03 01:18:10 UTC

I found this resource especially helpful because I feel many avoid incorporating civil engagement strategies under the fear that the discourse will overtake the lesson and lead to further conflict. However, learning how to address differences of opinions in a civil matter is crucial.

Guardians of Democracy-

2025-04-03 01:18:19 UTC

Resource seems good in theory, however the report expands on resources from 2003, which is not only quite old at this point, but I believe we need to take another look at a lot of things in relation to education, not just civics, post pandemic.

EAD Roadmap

2025-04-03 01:18:20 UTC

The EAD roadmap is NOT a set of standards or curriculum. Instead, it recommends approaches to learning that focus on

Inspiring students to become involved in their constitutional democracy
Cultivating civic honesty & patriotism that leave space for loving AND critiquing this country
Teaching civics and history

Teaching for Democracy Alliance

2025-04-03 01:18:27 UTC

This article outlines the obligation schools have to be the ones providing civics education - Teachers/schools are one of the few places for students to learn/understand their role in their communities/societies

"Six Proven Practices for Effective Civic Learning"

acolao4 — 2025-04-03 01:18:27 UTC

"Civic learning engages students in activities that require them to practice skills, such as deliberation and critical thinking, that will prepare them for participation in a democracy."

In my math class, I know how important it is for students to develop critical thinking skills, something many of them are still working on. That's why I provide daily opportunities for them to practice thinking critically, with "Building Thinking Classrooms Tasks". Knowing that this will benefit them in the future makes it even more rewarding.

The C3 Framework

2025-04-03 01:18:29 UTC

"The C3 Framework, like the Common Core State Standards, emphasizes the acquisition and application of knowledge to prepare students for college, career, and civic life. It intentionally envisions social studies instruction as an inquiry arc of interlocking and mutually reinforcing elements that speak to the intersection of ideas and learners. ... apply knowledge and ideas in real world settings to become active and engaged citizens in the 21st century." This speaks to me directly because as a social science teacher, it's so important to get students to be inquisitive and curious about how they can take the information from their social science classes and take them and apply them to real life situations and everyday life.

Six Proven Practices for Effective Civic Learning "Students cannot be expected to be civically engaged simply by reading. They can only learn how to be civically engaged by being civically engaged."

2025-04-03 01:19:09 UTC

This really resonated with me because students need modeling and skills in community building. You can't simply have students read about how to be a civic leader, you need to have them physically and mentally engaged in the civic process in building their community.

Digital Civics Toolkit

2025-04-03 01:19:23 UTC

The Toolkit explores a range of civic opportunities and dilemmas via 5 modules focused on: Exploring Community Issues, Investigation, Dialogue, Voice, and Action.

Could be very interesting to incorporate into my journalism class next school year as we expand and grow our program/community building on campus. Lots of good conversation starters for high school students.

Center for Civic Education

2025-04-03 01:19:28 UTC

The Center for Civic Education helps students understand institutions for resources of constitutional democracy and the fundamental principles It also helps them learn the skills in order to participate as competent and responsible citizens - like voting practices and community involvement and rights.

2013 marked the beginning of this initiative, I wonder what the impetus of this push for civic engagement was, and was that impetus native to CA or was it sparked by broader national concerns?

2025-04-03 01:19:37 UTC

Ducksters Resource

2025-04-03 01:20:32 UTC

As an ELA teacher, having students read and annotate resources such as the articles on the "Ducksters" could be a great way to incorporate important history into standards and skills. This could lead to conversations and positive civic discourse highlighting students thoughts and personal experiences.

(b) build critical thinking, problem solving, and participatory skills to become engaged citizens;

2025-04-03 01:20:34 UTC

My favorite part of this longer mission statement is to build participatory skills to become engaged citizens. This should be our highest goal in all of our teaching, to help students learn how positively engage with other citizens to build a positive community.

Youth Leadership Initiative

2025-04-03 01:20:46 UTC

This is a free program that helps students learn about government and politics in a fun and engaging way. Students can create their own laws in a congress simulation, participate in mock elections, share their thoughts, and explore social justice topics.

Curriculum, Instructional Practices, and Resources; Professional Learning; Community and Business Partnerships; and Student Assessment and School Accountability.

tmoore274 — 2025-04-03 01:20:55 UTC

Students will build connections in their communities and form a better understanding of their education and why specific lessons may apply to them more than others.

Promoting an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy.

2025-04-03 01:21:14 UTC

I like this idea because I think alot of students today do not truly understand politics and the government works, do building this better understanding of citizenry and building up students understanding of democracy a key element in having students fulfill civic duties.

Democracy Web

2025-04-03 01:21:58 UTC

An easy database for students to gain overviews and make overarching connections between major historical events, movements, etc. I might use this resource to help students begin generate issues and research questions that interest them.

Center for Civic Education

2025-04-03 01:23:28 UTC

Things like this should be more present overall. Covers things that help students understand the principles of our democracy and how to engage with it. Something that more and more people seem to lack understanding of.

2025-04-03 01:23:36 UTC

This link helps primary and secondary students learn about branches of government, how laws are made, historical documents, etc.

Equitable Civic Empowerment in Schools

2025-04-03 01:25:28 UTC

Schools should and try to foster inclusiveness, belonging, and student empowerment

Facinghistory.org

2025-04-03 01:25:35 UTC

This source has tons of information on actively standing up to racism and bigotry! The ultimate goal is to build a just and equitable future.

Ducksters Resource

2025-04-03 01:25:37 UTC

Kinda gas actually

But in all seriousness, having students navigate this site could be a massive benefit to history curriculum - it seems like it'd be great for self-led/inquiry based lessons, where students could easily find topics of interest. Providing the resource could be a great starting point for students to absorb a lot of information across a variety of time periods/parts of the world

Icivic games

2025-04-03 01:25:52 UTC

I think this resourse plays right into the students of today. They are very much a virtual gaming community so building civic lessons into games is a great tool to keep in mind!

Ben Franklin's Guide to Gov

2025-04-03 01:25:58 UTC

A lot of this seems really great. I was excited that there was a tab for Native tribes but what not shocked when there was basically nothing in it.

"we spend approximately $50 per student per year on STEM fields and approximately $0.50 per student per year on civics."

2025-04-03 01:28:17 UTC

We became so obsessed with increasing STEM scores, ranking higher than other countries, that our youth lost valuable lessons in being a productive member of society.

We are Facing History

2025-04-03 01:28:25 UTC

It is so important for students to understand that we are all humans and that injustice, racism, and hatred have no place in society. We cannot allow students to continue these beliefs of ignorance and need to teach them that acceptance and understanding are necessary to be a positive and productive member of society.

Picture Yourself in Local Government (PYLG)

2025-04-03 01:28:39 UTC

"The PYLG curriculum help students learn about the roles, responsibilities and processes of local government."

This initiative works towards the goal of educating our youth for the future and encouraging civic engagement.

Youth Leadership Initiative

2025-04-03 01:28:45 UTC

The Youth Leadership Initiative program is at University of Virginia Center for Politics, and has free educational resources that are made to assist civics teachers are encourage participation in students and encourage students to participate in the political process

Civic Development

2025-04-03 01:30:40 UTC

Civic development has three dimensions that are important to cultivate in order to educate young people for citizenship. The first dimension—knowledge—comprises the facts and ideas of democracy, citizenship, the U.S. government, and global concerns that students need to know to be informed participants in civic life. The second dimension—skills—includes the ability to navigate the rules and processes of citizenship and governance in our society. The third dimension—values—includes the democratic ideals and commitment to those ideals that motivate civic commitment.

9-12 Digital Civics Toolkit

2025-04-03 01:33:11 UTC

Though participating digitally in political issues is known as 'slacktivisim' it is the first introduction for kids these days to be informed and involved with political ideas and how to influence their community. They are getting entertainment and sociopolitical information that encourages activisim. It is great to have a resource on how to teach students to use their voices in supporting their political ideas through digital means.

Civic Education

2025-04-03 01:33:32 UTC

•Examining the unique relationship between history, government, law, and democracy and how they work together and support one another

•Why we have the system of government we have

•What sacrifices our forefathers made to secure that system

•What democracy truly means

•The crucial role that every American plays in sustaining it.

California Global Education Project

2025-04-03 01:35:01 UTC

California Global Education Project designs and leads quality professional learning that inspires and supports PK-12 educators from across the disciplines to prepare all youth to be globally competent, engaged members of our interconnected and changing world.

Teaching American History (teachingamericanhistory.org)

2025-04-03 01:35:36 UTC

Great source, I think it would be very useful to use this to make sure that you are teaching vital American History lessons to our students. Great lessons about American History and government and how they relate.

Ducksters

2025-04-03 01:39:32 UTC

short articles on a variety of topics in history/ gov but can be helpful for anyone trying to link these things into their lessons.

Inspiring a New Generation of Voters

2025-04-03 01:40:58 UTC

Young people have the potential to be a powerful force in elections, but only if they get involved and make voting a habit.

To encourage students to become active voters once they are old enough to cast a ballot, Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond invite high school and middle school students, teachers, and principals to participate in the next California Student Mock Election, which will take place on October 6, 2026, for the General Election.

"an active and continuous process that calls on each of us to connect the choices of the past to those we face today."

2025-04-03 01:46:18 UTC

It is important to look at how actions taken in the past resulted in the circumstances today, and how we can use this knowledge to influence the future.

Ducksters

2025-04-03 01:47:56 UTC

This looks like a fun resource for kids to find valuable knowledge regarding history.