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 Has civility disappeared from civic life? Groups like the Idaho Human Rights Education Center are working hard to ensure that civility continues to be a key element of citizenship education. Former Idaho Superintendent of Schools Marilyn Howard talks about the importance of including civility in TEACHING CIVIC DISPOSITIONS. /clearinghouse/82/00/8200.doc
What States Are Doing NORTH DAKOTA Governor John Hoeven signed House Bill 1463, creating the North Dakota Youth Council. The council will review and develop recommendations on issues affecting residents under age 25. Areas mentioned include education, health care, employment opportunities and quality of life. Membership includes 16 individuals between ages 17 and 24. The new legislation is found in chapter 54-07 of the North Dakota Century Code. http://www.legis.nd.gov/
MISSISSIPPI'S Department of Education is implementing a revised social studies curriculum which includes civil rights and human rights. The Mississippi Board of Education has approved the framework for "2010 Mississippi U.S. History: Post-Reconstruction to Present," which includes a content strand with a competency and objectives. Legislation passed in 2006 directed the state to include civil rights and human rights as part of K-12 curriculum. http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ACAD/ID/Curriculum/ss/Final%20Approved%20Draft%20of%20US%20history_05_09.pdf
In MARYLAND, Governor Martin O'Malley has signed House Bill 485 which extends the terms of members of its Youth Advisory Council from nine months to one year and has directed the state Department of Education to allow youth council members up to four council-related absences from school. http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/chapters_noln/Ch_70_hb0485T.pdf
Good Reads Engaging Young People in CIVIC LIFE, edited by James Youniss and Peter Levine, has been published by Vanderbilt University Press. In the forward, former U.S. Representative Lee Hamilton describes it as "tough-minded, data-driven, and unsentimental" and "full of concrete policy proposals for schools, municipalities, service programs and political parties." http://www.civicyouth.org/?p=347
Civic Health in Hard Times finds that people are spending less time engaged in civic participation during the economic downturn. This Civic Health Index report, published by the National Conference on Citizenship, provides information on this and other MEASURES OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. /clearinghouse/82/02/8202.pdf
The Corporation for National and Community Service has released Volunteering in America 2009. New this year is data on volunteering and service in the HISPANIC COMMUNITY. http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/
Meetings & Events Key staff members from schools selected for NCLC's SCHOOLS OF SUCCESS will meet November 3-5, 2009, in Denver, Colorado. Schools of Success have demonstrated experience in sustaining elements of service-learning that have shown to lead to greater student achievement and success. /clearinghouse/82/03/8203.pdf
Ada Grabowski, Albion School District superintendent and member of NCLC's District Leader Network, and Sue Starkweather, Albion School District, will co-present a session titled, "Service-Learning as a Vehicle for Engaging Youth in After School Programs" at the NATIONAL COMMUNITY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Annual Conference, November 19-22, 2009, in Phoenix.
NCLC executive director JoAnn Henderson and National Youth Leadership Council vice president Kari Arfstrom will co-present a breakout session titled "High Quality Service-Learning Practice and Curriculum" on December 3 at the 2009 ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCIES Annual Conference. The conference is December 2-5, 2009 in Austin, Texas.
Names in the News PRISCILLA HADEN has been elected President of the West Virginia Board of Education. Haden, a member of the NCLC Executive Board, has previously held the posts of Secretary and Vice President of the West Virginia Board of Education.
The Academy for Civic Engagement at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School has earned a Superior ranking at the Annual National Project Citizen Showcase. The Academy is part of NCLC Board member STEPHEN HEFNER'S Richland Two School District in Columbia, South Carolina. http://www.richland2.org/content.aspx?id=21103
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/82/01/8201.doc
Other Useful Web sites High school students who are considering careers in public service will be interested in the UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM. Two students from each state will be chosen to spend a week in Washington, D.C. "experiencing their government in action." Expenses are paid and each delegate will receive a scholarship. Deadlines vary by state, but selections will be made by December 1, 2009. http://www.hearstfdn.org/ussyp/
The Dirksen Congressional Center has redesigned their CONGRESS FOR KIDS Web site to include "a new interactive 'Citizenship' thread that will help teachers teach about, and students better understand, citizenship." For a full description, search for the June 2009 Communicator Update on the Dirksen Center Web site. To check out Congress for Kids, click on the link below. http://www.congressforkids.net
The LIBRARY OF CONGRESS offers many online resources for educators. For example, The Learning Page has over seven million historical documents, photos, maps, films and audio recordings that come with lessons, activities and other tips for using these collections in the classroom. http://www.loc.gov/teachers/
