Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy Educating for 21 st Century Democracy: State of the State Report: Part I The Local Picture Jill K. Conrad Director, CMS Campaign

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy Research Points to 6 Promising Approaches to Improve Civic Education 1.Formal instruction in govt, history, law, and democracy 2.Discussion of current issues and events 3.Opportunities to apply what learned through service-learning 4. Extracurricular activities that allow involvement 5. Student voice and participation in school governance 6. Participation in simulations of democratic processes and procedures

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy All Civic Competencies are Important (knowledge, skills, & dispositions) beginning in early grades and continuing at each grade level Developmentally appropriate learning opportunities beginning in early grades and continuing at each grade level best for optimal learning of civic competencies Focus on ALL 3 strands of civic competencies (k, s, d) best

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy CO Campaign Overarching Question (access/quantity) (quality)What would need to happen to ensure that all CO students receive an adequate amount (access/quantity) to high quality civic learning opportunities (quality) throughout their K-12 education?

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy What is happening in Colorado?  A Colorado Study w/CASB civic learning opportunity gap  revealed a civic learning opportunity gap where as many as 50% of students may lack access to social studies instruction in the elementary, and in some cases, middle school grades.  Most civic learning in CO is concentrated in high school….too little, too late Have our schools lost sight of their civic mission?

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy Opportunities: Some Things May Make a Difference in CO Schools 2005 study suggests that some things may make a difference: Constellation of policies Constellation of policies : Intentional district policy with multiple reinforcements of importance of civic learning Effective delivery system design: Effective delivery system design: Quality curriculum design WITH clear program of instruction, K-12 Clear expectations: Clear expectations: Principals, teachers, students, and parents perceive civic learning as a priority Capacity and resources: Capacity and resources: High quality professional development, curriculum development, instructional materials, etc.

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy 2006 Survey of Colorado Superintendents & School Boards Agreement on Civic Mission: Agreement on Civic Mission: Vast majority (approx 70%) view the civic mission as an integral part of the academic mission of education, equally important as workforce & college prep BUT…Is Civic Mission in the Mission?: BUT…Is Civic Mission in the Mission?: Over 60% said “NO” Are We Meeting the Civic Mission?: Are We Meeting the Civic Mission?: 50% said somewhat successful; 20% said successful or highly successful; 10% said unsuccessful Supports?: Supports?: The Good News: more than half said they’d had some opportunity for curriculum development or professional development in social studies or civics within the last 1-3 years (including a review of standards)

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy 2006 Survey of Colorado Superintendents & School Boards 21 st Century Civics Needs 21 st Century Strategies: 21 st Century Civics Needs 21 st Century Strategies: Vast majority (approx 70%) agrees with this statement; 20% strongly agrees 6 Promising Practices: 6 Promising Practices: All districts have some, mostly in high school (but not necessarily for all students). Top Requests for Help: #1 (Instruction) 43% of Supts; 83% of School Boards; #2 (Discussion) 53% of Supts; 50% of School Boards #6 (Simulations) 50% of Supts; 40% of School Boards #5 (Student Governance) 33% of Supts; 50% of School Boards #3 (Service-Learning) 37% of Supts; 40% of School Boards Priority Level?: Priority Level?: High Priority (6% of Supts; 25% of School Boards); Growing priority (47% of Supts; 25% of School Boards); Somewhat (31% of Supts; 37% of School Boards); Low Priority (16% of Supts; 12% of School Boards)

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy 2006 Survey of Colorado Superintendents & School Boards Barriers to Making Civic Learning More of a Priority: Barriers to Making Civic Learning More of a Priority: Other Priorities (45%) CSAP Testing (32% Supts; 57% School Boards) Lack of Resources (43% Supts; 43% School Boards) Political/partisan concerns (43% School Boards) Lack of knowledge of effective civic learning strategies (37% Supts)

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy 2006 Survey of Colorado Superintendents & School Boards Local Strategies to Help Districts Meet Their Civic Mission: Local Strategies to Help Districts Meet Their Civic Mission: School Board Members said: – More community support for this as a goal (71%) and more community partnerships to help (57%), – More resources to support social studies (57%), – Support to develop whole schools focused on civic mission Superintendents said: More curriculum development (57%); More rigor in high school graduation requirement for civics (50%); more incentives to motivate schools to improve civic mission through school improvement process (46%); more resources to fully implement social studies (43%) Both also wanted to see more recognition for quality civic learning outcomes

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy 2006 Survey of Colorado Superintendents & School Boards Top State Strategies that Would Help Districts Meet Their Civic Mission: Top State Strategies that Would Help Districts Meet Their Civic Mission: School Board Members said: – More state support to implement social studies standards (71%) – More positive recognition of schools or districts that address their civic mission (71%) – Stronger emphasis on civic mission in accreditation process (57%) – More incentives and supports for schools and districts to build civic mission into district improvement plans (43%) Superintendents said: More resources (46%) More incentives for civic mission schools (40%) More recognition for civic mission schools (39%) Better links between high school civics & voter registration (36%) Opportunity to review and update civics standards (36%) A stronger emphasis on teachers’ roles in educating for democracy (teacher prep and certification) (32%)

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy 2006 Survey of Colorado Superintendents & School Boards Other “State” Strategies that Would Help Districts Meet Their Civic Mission: Other “State” Strategies that Would Help Districts Meet Their Civic Mission: School Board Members said: – Access to instructional materials (70%) – More support to integrate civic learning into other content areas (57%) – More professional development for teachers (43%) Superintendents said: More professional development (50%) More support to integrate civic learning into other content areas (50%) Better links b/w civics & literacy instruction (36%) Better access to instructional resources online (43%) More recognition for quality practice in civic learning (39%)

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy ECS’ Policy Checklist for States & School Districts 1.Standards & Accountability 2.Curriculum & Instruction 3.Professional Development 4.Resources/Funding 5.Partnerships 6.Shared Vision & Culture

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy Reactor Panel: A Conversation with Local Leaders Dr. John Hefty, Moderator Panelists: Dr. Monte Moses, Superintendent, Cherry Creek School District Dr. Cindy Stevenson, Superintendent, Jefferson County Public Schools Theresa Peňa, DPS School Board President Peggy Altoff, President, National Council for the Social Studies (& CO Springs D-11) Suzanne de Lemos, Teacher, Adams 12 Jim Spehar, President, CO Municipal League

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Educating for Democracy Educating for 21 st Century Democracy What is the responsibility of local leaders (education, municipal, community) prepare all youth to shape the civic future of Colorado communities?