CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: A ROLE FOR STUDENTS

What does it mean to engage a learner in school? How do you know when civics is a part of what happens in every school? How do you measure student engagement, acheivement and civic education in your school? Why should a School District resource this work? Should you stay for this presentation and workshop? For Your Consideration....

PURPOSE OF SESSION Determine the Disposition of Faculty and Administrators - Find them, hire them, & evaluate them for this disposition. Orient you to bring Civic Engagement to the District School and Classroom at a real time level. Recognize the patterns of Norms, Values, Beliefs and Behaviors that impact achievement and culture. Finding the money to get started - One School at a Time Establish a relationship that promote Collaboration, Research Civic Engagement and Learning in your district and between the National Center for Learning and Citizenship & the Education Commission of the States & You…

“… public education does not serve a public. It creates a public. And in creating the right kind of public, the schools contribute to strengthening the spiritual basis of the American creed… The question is not ‘Does or doesn’t public school create a public?’ The question is, ‘What kind of public does it create?’” - Neal Postman The End of Education (1996)

Mission of Public Education Prepare students for… …lifelong learning, …productivity, and …responsible citizenship.

So…how do we create “responsible citizens”?

R2 Student Leadership Credo That which students can do responsibly, adults should not.

“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be.” - Thomas Jefferson

Richland School District Two Youth Action Council Mission to promote youth-directed civic engagement through a service learning framework

Help students and teachers become more involved in connecting important community issues like poverty, hunger, and homelessness to classroom study.

Form partnerships to bring additional resources to support service learning in Richland School District Two.

Share expertise with others at local, state and national levels.

The Role of Superintendents and Leaders in the District Leadership & Relationships High Expectations Academic Achievement Developing a Sense of Responsiblity in Students Linking Youth Engagement & Voice to Higher Student Acheivement, graduation from high school and enrollment in higher educaiton Closing the Engagement Gap & Keeping Students Interested in School Establishing Pracices and Relationship That Promote Collaboration, Research Civic and Learning in Your District

Vision and Leadership A diverse group of stakeholders have a shared vision and leadership opportunities Partnership & Community The structures and frameworks to develop review, and revise curriculum and practice Professional & Curriculum Development Administrators, faculty, staff and others have regular opportunities to engage in training and to create a community of practice and programs Partnerships and Community School-Community partnerships benefit schools, students and community Resources Small level of funding sources, training, grants, & time...Mentor, Support and Witness Hire for it, Train for it, Evaluate for it! Board and Superintendent Role

BRINGING TO SCALE & EXPECTATION Determine Disposition of Faculty & Administrators - Find ‘em - They are in every school… Establish Knowledge - Develop and Collaborate on Skills & Strategies Develop & Learn Skills - Get the climate and culture on your side Mini Grants & Set Budget Line Item - Get the Money Integrate Strand in Curriculum as They Come on Line Find Teacher Leaders Measure School Climate and Student/Parent Satisfaction Level Place Youth on Decision Making Teams & Train Them Youth Summits to Determine How to Engage Measure and Report Progress to BOE, Staff & Community Plan for Abandonment of Projects and Teams

Tell the story Civic engagement and service learning provide many opportunities to share positive news about your students.

Mapping A Student’s CIVICS EDUCATION Students begin studying civics by learning about themselves and how citizenship plays a part in their lives. As they progress through the grade levels, students learn about citizenship as it involves families, communities, our country, its history, and contemporary events.

Civic Engagement as a Drop Out Prevention Strategy Four out of five (81%) drop outs said there should be more opportunities for real world learning. The Silent Epidemic - Perspectives of High School Dropouts

ECS National Center for Learning and Citizenship The National Center for Learning and Citizenship provides resources on policy, practice and capacity to education leaders, state and district policymakers and other stakeholders to advance civic engagement and service-learning. We are working to enhance student voice and engagement in their schools at a state and national level.