September - October 2008

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
Constitution Day, September 17, gave Sam Chaltain the opportunity to reflect on the extent to which we remain willing to commit to the social covenant on which our nation is founded and on the DEMOCRATIC ROLE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. Read Sam's Thoughts on Constitution Day.
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What States Are Doing
ILLINOIS Governor Rod Blagojevich has approved legislation establishing a Children and Youth Commission charged with developing a comprehensive, five-year strategic plan for providing services to youth from birth to age 24. Members of the Commission must include at least three young people between the ages of 16 and 24. The commission will address the multiple needs of children and youth, including preventive health, education completion, workforce development, social and emotional development, and civic engagement.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2992&ChapAct=20%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B4075%2F&ChapterID=5&ChapterName=EXECUTIVE+BRANCH&ActName=Commission+on+Children+and+Youth+Act%2E

Election season provides opportunities to discuss with students a range of controversial issues being debated by candidates for public office. It is an ideal time to develop in young people a commitment to engage in a democratic discourse about contentious issues and to work to resolve those differences. In time for the 2008 election season, the Center for Education in Law and Democracy, in COLORADO, has developed four lesson plans for use in classrooms this fall (and afterward). The lessons are available for downloading.
http://www.lawanddemocracy.org/2008.Election.html

Good Reads
As the school year begins, students, teachers, administrators and parents face a variety of exciting opportunities and challenges. Although we usually feature timely reports and other publications in this section of Citizenship Matters, in this issue, we're highlighting an important message from SPECIAL OLYMPICS which we encourage you to consider and act on. Our commitment to democratic principles is undeniable as is our commitment to establishing the safest and most nurturing learning environments for all students.
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According to a new EU Report, "results uniformly suggest that there is a SIGNIFICANT DEMOCRATIC RETURN associated with formal education." Read Does Formal Education Have an Impact on Active Citizenship Behaviour?
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A broad review of the literature by the RAND Corporation concludes that the QUALITY OF SCHOOLS can have a major impact on the community, including employment and earnings, local tax revenues, housing values, crime rates and the physical and mental health of community residents. See the report at:
http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/2008/RAND_DB562.pdf

New Center Publications
Service-Learning Policies and Practices: A Research-Based Advocacy Paper builds upon existing NCLC work, and provides a research-based SERVICE-LEARNING FRAMEWORK encompassing the simultaneous renewal of five critical components shown to institutionalize and maximize service-learning effectiveness: vision and leadership, curriculum and assessment, community-school partnerships, professional development and continuous improvement. This paper translates service-learning's research-based evidence for education leaders and identifies best practices and policies.
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Meetings & Events
The NATIONAL LEARN & SERVE CHALLENGE, October 6-12, 2008, is a concentrated week of special events and activities designed to spotlight service-learning successes around the country. It is also designed to show support for Learn and Serve America and inspire other schools and communities to launch their own service-learning initiatives. Now is the perfect time for you to join your peers from around the country to shine the spotlight on service-learning in your local schools and community.
http://www.learnandservechallenge.org/

Names in the News
The new American Association of School Administrators (AASA) president is RANDY COLLINS, member of the NCLC Executive Board and 100 District Leaders Network. Read his message to AASA members.
http://www.aasa.org/publications/prescornercurrent.cfm

The Forum for Education and Democracy is expanding its DC office with the addition of SAM CHALTAIN as national director. Chaltain, a veteran educator, social entrepreneur and M.B.A., will be charged with facilitating the articulation and implementation of a strategic plan that can guide the Forum's work going forward.
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Other Useful Web sites
STRONG AMERICAN SCHOOLS is a nonpartisan public awareness and advocacy effort aimed at elevating discussion among America's leaders about the need for education reform. This campaign seeks to unite all Americans around the crucial mission of improving our public schools by elevating the discussion to a national stage. Visit their Web site to see what the campaign is advocating in the way of creating more common and rigorous standards, attracting and maintaining a quality teacher corps and extending learning time.
http://www.edin08.com/

The Dirksen Congressional Center is a non-partisan, not for profit organization that seeks to IMPROVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT by promoting a better understanding of Congress and its leaders through archival, research and education programs.
http://www.dirksencenter.org/

The Prudential SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY Awards honor young people for voluntary service to their communities. Maximum award: $5,000 for an honoree and a $5,000 grant to a nonprofit, charitable organization of the honoree's choice. Eligibility: students in grades 5-12 who have engaged in a volunteer service activity within the past year. Deadline: Oct. 31, 2008.
http://www.prudential.com/spirit/

International Focus
In the UK, as in the United States, people are becoming less engaged in the formal democratic process. The UK Ministry of Justice has published a discussion paper to encourage discourse on ways to address this challenge. The paper sets out a proposed FRAMEWORK FOR GREATER CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT, by increasing opportunities for people to participate in the decision-making process between elections and in ways that encourage participation by those whose voices are not often heard, and requests comments. A paper summarizing the responses to this discussion document will be published in October 2008.
http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/citizen_engagement.pdf

The Eighth GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE will take place in Paris, France this fall from November 19-22, 2008. This conference is an exciting opportunity for professionals in the field of youth development to come together to discuss the potential for national youth service to promote community and youth development. Past participants have come from 48 different countries on six continents, as well as from several international organizations.
http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/3862/pid/3862#IANYS