Guest Column
The Honorable Lee Hamilton, director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, former U.S. Congressman and vice chairman of The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, delivered this keynote address, CIVIC EDUCATION AND THE COMMON GOOD, at the Second Annual Congressional Conference on Civic Education.
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Back to top.What States Are Doing
MARYLAND Superintendent of Education Nancy Grasmick has named a 24-member task force to study social studies education in the state's K-12 schools. Over the next 10 months, the panel will review best practices, examine the time spent on social studies and draw up a professional development plan for teachers.
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/pressrelease_details/11_19_2004.htm
ALASKA Governor Frank Murkowski re-established the Alaska State Community Service Commission by administrative order. One purpose of the commission is "to engage Alaskans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based service and volunteerism as a means of community and state problem solving."
http://gov.state.ak.us/admin-orders/220.html
Back to top.Good Reads
An increased number of Americans participated in VOLUNTEER SERVICE in the past year, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics study. About 64.5 million people participated in volunteer work at least once during the study period, up from 63.8 million for the similar period ended in September 2003, and up from 58.8 million for the period ended September 2002, the first year of the study.
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/volun.pdf
On January 17, Americans will honor the work of Martin Luther King Jr. One of NCLC's board members, Anthony Welch, reflects on lessons learned from the CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT and its applicability to citizenship education and service-learning.
http://pavo/clearinghouse/48/30/4830.doc
The City University of New York and the New York Times Knowledge Network released a Voting Rights and CITIZENSHIP CALENDAR and Web site, "designed to inspire participation in civic life by educating students, teachers and the general public about American history."
http://www1.cuny.edu/portal_ur/content/voting_cal/index.html
Back to top.New Center Publications
Involving students in governance is one way to provide opportunities for them to acquire and practice leadership and citizenship skills. NCLC's new policy brief "INVOLVING STUDENTS IN GOVERNANCE," presents some of the benefits for students, the community and policymakers, as well as the challenges of involving young people in governance.
http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/55/86/5586.pdf
Service-learning is particularly effective as a pedagogy that can be used across grades and academic subject areas to help students combine knowledge and skills with community action. SENIOR AND CULMINATING PROJECTS are becoming increasingly common. This policy brief explores the challenges and benefits of combining these two educational strategies, provides examples of existing high-quality programs, recommends effective implementation strategies and offers some questions for consideration by educational leaders and policymakers.
http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/56/23/5623.pdf
Back to top.Names in the News
BILL CIRONE, Santa Barbara County superintendent of schools, and NCLC chairman-elect was honored as one of four recipients of the Santa Barbara News-Press Lifetime Achievement Award in November.
NCLC Board Member and Colorado State Senator SUE WINDELS has been appointed chairman of the Colorado Senate Education Committee.
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.
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Back to top.Other Useful Web sites
The CAMPAIGN FOR THE CIVIC MISSION OF SCHOOLS has launched a new Web site, including a toolkit for advocacy campaigns, examples of good practice, news from K-12 civic education and other features.
http://www.civicmissionofschools.org
PEACE GAMES empowers students to create their own safe classrooms and communities by forming partnerships with elementary schools, families and young adult volunteers.
http://www.peacegames.org
Back to top.International Focus
After participating in the First National Conference on Citizenship Education in Bogota, COLOMBIA, Steven Brion-Meisels shares an overview of the meeting, his reflections and insights that can inform work in citizenship education in the United States.
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