Civics Education in the U.S. January 7, 2018 Civics 101 Civics Education in the U.S. Mary Schick

Civics Education in the United States What Grounds us & Binds us together Why Civics Education Matters Understanding our government is important for everybody Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Lifelong learning is the best way to stay up-to-date on politics and social issues

From the President…the essence of civic duty “And so my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”

Why is civics education critical? Your Civics education What makes a good citizen Skills achieved: Leadership, Teamwork, Debate “Education and correct information are crucial to the overcoming of ignorance, bias and discrimination” Joe Davalos, Superintendent of Education, Suquamish Tribe. How schools can help heal our civic strife: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2018/12/18/how-schools-can-help-heal-our- civic-strife/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.46dc21d62b27

Civics Education in the US Tools to Become Engaged, Informed & Empathetic citizens Portrait of Brown Center Report (BCR) on American Education Trends in Civics scores, Inventory of State Civics Requirements and Understanding the social studies teacher workforce https://www.brookings.edu/research/2018-brown-center-report-on- american-education-an-inventory-of-state-civics-requirements/

50-State inventory of state civics requirements

Civic participation affords political power, and broad participation is essential for a healthy, inclusive democracy

The Social Studies Workforce The Social Studies Workforce the state of America’s social studies teachers

What constitutes a High-Quality Civics Education? Civic knowledge: Understanding of government structure, government processes & relevant social studies knowledge and concepts Civic skills: Abilities that enable students to participate in a democracy as responsible citizens Civic dispositions: Attitudes important in a democracy such as a sense of civic duty & concern for the welfare of others

Where are we (state of Washington). https://www. brookings

What are we doing in Washington? Civic Education Initiative Goal Ensure that every student is provided a high-caliber civics education from kindergarten through high school graduation. Requirements The primary laws and regulations for civic education are: State learning standards — RCW 28A.150.210 Civics credit requirement — RCW 28A.230.093 Social studies assessments — RCW 28A.230.095 Resources: C3 Framework: The College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework establishes clear and strong standards for social studies instruction.

HB 1896 - Expanding civics education in public schools

Teaching Civics/Saving Democracy Engagement starts with Education If you study civics in high school, you are more likely to be an informed voter . “If people feel engaged in their community, they are more likely to vote.” https://www.npr.org/2017/09/22/552665068/can-teaching-civics-save- democracy

What is Democracy? Our constitution is the foundation of our democracy American democracy has three branches of government – the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. By balancing power among three branches of government, we assure that power is shared, and that no one person or branch of government has absolute authority.

Importance of Democratic institutions Respect Patience Protect Exercise American democracy is founded on great ideas and principles. We still struggle to live up to them, but over many generations, we keep making progress.

February 12 Special Election ClarkVotes.org Resolutions Received Evergreen School District No. 114 - Resolution No. 6115 (Proposition 3) Evergreen School District No. 114 - Resolution No. 6116 (Proposition 4) Hockinson School District No. 98 - Resolution No. 18-19-06 (Proposition 4) Hockinson School District No. 98 - Resolution No. 18-19-07 (Proposition 5) La Center School District No. 101 - Resolution No. 2018/2019-01 (Proposition 3) Ridgefield School District No. 122 - Resolution No. 2018-2019-003 (Proposition 3) Vancouver School District No. 37 - Resolution No. 814 (Propositions 3 & 4) Only registered voters in Evergreen School District, Hockinson School District, La Center School District, Ridgefield School District and Vancouver School District will receive ballots for this election. Ballots will be mailed January 25. Please expect them to arrive in your mailbox by February 1. Deadline to register or update registration is January 14 Deadline for new Washington voter registration (in person) is February 4.