Guest Column
William Cirone urges us to imagine living in a community where all young people feel loved and supported. Read this INSPIRING AND INSIGHTFUL essay by the superintendent of Santa Barbara county schools and NCLC chair.
/clearinghouse/76/16/7616.doc
Back to top.What States Are Doing
As a result of the 2007 Education Leadership Colloquium, the NORTH CAROLINA Civic Education Consortium has formed a new partnership with North Carolina Campus Compact. The groups will be working together to support pre-service and current teachers in their implementation of the new high school graduation project requirement by linking it to service-learning and civic engagement. Click on the following link to read Consortium director Kelley O'Brien's proposal to members of the Faculty Engagement Initiative.
/clearinghouse/76/17/7617.doc
OREGON Governor Ted Kulongoski signed a bill creating a Task Force on Civics and Financial Education to study and make recommendations about how to increase and improve civics and financial education in kindergarten through grade 12 public schools.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measpdf/hb2500.dir/hb2584.en.pdf
In CONNECTICUT, Governor Jodi Rell signed into law a bill requiring students in the 4th or 5th grade to take part in a program of participatory democracy.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/ACT/Pa/pdf/2007PA-00138-R00HB-07017-PA.pdf
LOUISIANA has established a Legislative Youth Advisory Council, the purpose of which is to examine and facilitate communication between youth and the legislature on issues of importance to youth. The legislation, which was signed by Governor Kathleen Blanco, is an initiative under the administration of the state commission on civic education.
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=447419
Back to top.Good Reads
Core Principles for Engaging Young People in Community Change, published by The Forum for Youth Investment, asserts that the principles described in the report can help BUILD THE CAPACITY of organizations and communities to ensure that all youth, particularly those least likely to succeed without help, believe they have the responsibility and resources needed to make their communities better places for themselves, their families and their peers.
http://www.forumfyi.org/Files/FINALYouth_Engagement_7.9.pdf
A recent study of Hudson High School (Massachusetts) is highlighted in a new CIRCLE Working Paper. The school restructured its curriculum, organization and teaching practices to foster the development of an ETHIC OF CIVIC SERVICE AND RESPONSIBILITY, as well as abilities that will allow informed participation in the community.
http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/WorkingPapers/WP58McIntosh.pdf
Letters to the Next President: What Do You Plan to Do about Public Education? The latest edition of this book is a remake of the previous letters written in advance of the 2004 presidential election. The letters, directed at the next president of the United States, aim to restore the original MISSION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS to ensure young people are prepared to be productive and active community members.
http://www.tcpress.com/pdfs/GlickmanIntro.pdf
According to a new CIRCLE Fact Sheet, the VOTER REGISTRATION rate in presidential elections among young people reached its highest level in 30 years in 2004.
http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/FactSheets/FS07_Registration.pdf
Back to top.New Center Publications
A new publication in the ECS series The Progress of Education Reform 2007 highlights student engagement. Read Educational Engagement: A Successful Strategy for Academic and Civic Achievement and Success to learn about research showing student engagement's BENEFITS AND IMPLICATIONS for policymakers to consider.
/clearinghouse/75/77/7577.pdf
Back to top.Meetings & Events
NCLC hosted a Professional Judgment Group on SCHOOL CLIMATE, October 18-19 at ECS. A group of distinguished scholars, legislators and national authorities came together to discuss policy options that will best encourage, support, sustain and reward quality school climates. Look for more information about school climate in coming issues of Citizenship Matters.
100 DISTRICT LEADER NETWORK members who are attending the AASA National Conference on Education in Tampa will meet Thursday, February 14, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon.
Members of the 100 DISTRICT LEADER NETWORK who are attending the National School Boards Association Annual Conference in Orlando will meet Saturday, March 29, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
What is described as the largest gathering of youths and practitioners from the SERVICE-LEARNING MOVEMENT takes place April 9-12, 2008 in Minneapolis at the 19th Annual National Service-Learning Conference. EARLY BIRD registration deadline is December 3, 2007. Complete conference information is on the National Youth Leadership Council's Web site.
https://programs.regweb.com/metro/NYLC2008/index.cfm?page=registrationinfo
NCLC is hosting an ADMINISTRATOR ACADEMY during the Annual National Service-Learning Conference. District and school leaders will explore ways service-learning contributes to students' academic achievement and civic, social and career development. Check the conference Web site for more details on the Administrator Academy and to register for the conference.
https://programs.regweb.com/metro/NYLC2008/index.cfm?page=registrationinfo
Back to top.Names in the News
NCLC Executive Director TERRY PICKERAL has been commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Ernie Fletcher. Kentucky Colonel is the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The commission recognizes Pickeral's service and accomplishments on behalf of others.
Back to top.Updates from NACE
Citizenship Matters regularly features new information available on the NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR CIVIC EDUCATION'S (NACE) Web site. NACE comprises over 200 group and individual members committed to advancing civic knowledge and engagement.
/clearinghouse/76/18/7618.doc
Back to top.Other Useful Web sites
How INVOLVED IN PUBLIC EDUCATION is your community? Take the Give Kids Good Schools quiz to find out.
http://www.givekidsgoodschools.org/main/act.cfm
The American Society for Quality invites educators from across the country who have instituted or will institute a community-focused quality improvement initiative in their K-12 schools to apply for the COMMUNITY GOOD WORKS GRANT. For more information about the Community Good Works grant criteria and application process, visit their Web site.
http://www.asq.org/communities/good-works/index.html
Back to top.International Focus
Needham High School (Massachusetts) has launched a Global Competence Program. The goal is for students to gain interdisciplinary experience and knowledge of the world, and concurrently develop the communication and self-awareness skills to be flexible, respectful and creative as participants in, and contributors to, a GLOBALIZED SOCIETY.
http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/Info/Global-C/info-forms.html
Learning to Listen: Core Principles for the Involvement of Children and Young People
This government document from the United Kingdom sets core principles for children and young people's PARTICIPATION in the planning, delivery and the evaluation of government policies and services.
http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/_files/1F85704C1D67D71E30186FEBCEDED6D6.pdf
Back to top.
|
