Do you have information you would like to share in future
issues of Citizenship Matters? Send submissions to Ann Rautio at arautio@ecs.org.
The ECS National Center for Learning and Citizenship (NCLC) assists
state and district policymakers and educators developing policies
that support K-12 school-based service-learning opportunities. These
educational experiences help students acquire the skills, values,
knowledge and practice necessary to be effective citizens. The NCLC
identifies and analyzes policies and practices that support effective
citizenship education, creates and disseminates publications for
education stakeholders, and convenes meetings to develop a collective
voice for citizenship education and civic mission of schools. NCLC
also encourages policy support and system structures to integrate
service-learning into schools and communities. For more information,
visit www.ecs.org/nclc.
Welcome to CITIZENSHIP MATTERS, from the NATIONAL
CENTER FOR LEARNING AND CITIZENSHIP (NCLC) at the EDUCATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATES (ECS). This bimonthly newsletter focuses on ECS' work in
improving citizenship education in our nation's schools.
Guest Column Susan Vermeer, ECS project manager, describes four key policy approaches to CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION being developed by the ECS National Center for Learning and Citizenship and the professional judgment group process used to develop the four approaches.
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In KENTUCKY, Senate Joint Resolution 80 and House Joint Resolution 129 urge the creation of a committee to evaluate existing school civic literacy programs, determine a strategy for enhancing long-term civic education and recommend a plan for implementing a civic education program. http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/record/04rs/SJ80/bill.doc
Good Reads A recent article in District Administration examines the discussion of CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES in schools and includes 10 tips and methods for teachers introducing controversial topics in the classroom. http://www.districtadministration.com/page.cfm?p=543
The On-Line Toolkit on HISTORY, CIVICS and SERVICE is now available on Campus Compact's Web site. The goal of the Compact's work in history, civics and service is to advance students' understanding of history by connecting it to service experiences and to improve understanding of the context for community service by connecting it to a deeper historical context. http://www.compact.org/history-civics-service/
On February 24, Teachers College Press released a new book, "Letters to the Next President: What We Can Do about the Real Crisis in Public Education," edited by Carl Glickman. The book represents the views of 46 Americans, including Bill Cosby and John Glenn, in addition to parents, policymakers, scholars, teachers, students, administrators and others.
New Center Publications NCLC recently released a new issue paper, which describes the unique efforts of 10 American HIGH SCHOOLS to prepare students for active, principled citizenship, including recommendations for policymakers based on the efforts of those 10 schools. /clearinghouse/50/03/5003.pdf
NCLC News NCLC board members Suellen Reed, Indiana superintendent of public instruction, and Elizabeth Burmaster, Wisconsin superintendent of public instruction, joined ECS Policy Analyst Charles Merritt and Maryland Board of Education Member Karabelle Pizzigati as panelists at an American Youth Policy Forum sponsored workshop and roundtable session on CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION in Washington, D.C., on February 20. /clearinghouse/50/34/5034.doc
Meetings & Events The 2004 EDUCATION LEADERSHIP COLLOQUIUM (ELC) on the Civic Mission of American Schools will be held July 12-13, 2004, in Orlando, Florida, immediately preceding the ECS National Forum on Education Policy. Mark your calendar now! http://www.compact.org/ccpartnerships/ELC/
NCLC will host a meeting of its Anchoring the Investment state partners from California, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon and South Carolina on March 31-April 2 following the National Youth Leadership Council's National SERVICE-LEARNING Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Names in the News Michigan Representative and NCLC Board Member DOUG HART received a Michigan Townships Association Service Award for his "support and commitment to integrating local government education into the state's civics curriculum." Hart also received the President's Award from the Michigan Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). It is awarded annually to a lawmaker who
"demonstrates vigorous and uncommon commitment to the interests of children and teens."
At its January meeting, State Superintendent of Education and NCLC chairman-elect ELIZABETH BURMASTER was elected vice president of the Wisconsin Education Communication Board (ECB). ECB is the licensee to the statewide public television and radio network and operates Wisconsin Public Television and Public Radio in partnership with the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/seachange/sea0301_2.html
Updates from NACE Citizenship Matters is pleased to begin a new regular feature in this issue, highlighting information available on the NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR CIVIC EDUCATION's Web site.
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Other Useful Web sites The MICHIGAN CIVICS INSTITUTE provides discussion boards, virtual tours of significant state buildings, state government links, civics lesson plans for
teachers, as well as other resources. It also provides information on the Michigan House Civics Commission, a committee of 21 state representatives that hold hearings throughout Michigan, taking testimony from students on legislative ideas generated by the students. http://conflix.soe.umich.edu/mci/template.lasso
PROJECT 540 was created to give students a greater voice in their schools and their communities. During Project 540, students identify the issues they really care about and examine the current landscape in their high school for student civic engagement. http://www.project540.org/index.cfm
