California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning

1. California Task Force onK-12 Civic Learning REGIONAL MEETING Presented by David W. Gordon Superintendent of Schools Sacramento County Office of Education

2. What is the Problem? • Less than half the eligible young people voted in 2012 • More can name the judges on American Idol than on the US Supreme Court • A survey of CA high school seniors showed: • Most did not view involvement in state and local issues as their responsibility. • High quality civic learning makes a difference but there is unequal access. • California • Does not track student preparation for civic life • Relies on a single American Gov. class in 12th grade that comes too late for many students. • California History-Social Science Standards are 15 years old.

3. What is Civic Learning and the Benefits? • Research based proven practices in civic learning: • Classroom Instruction • Discussion of Current Events • Service-Learning • Extra-Curricular Activities • Participation in School Governance • Simulations of Democratic Processes • Prepares students for the 21st century workplace • Engages students in school and makes learning relevant to real life • Promotes academic achievement • Prevents some students from dropping out • Assists with implementation of Common Core State Standards

4. Join Our Statewide MovementCalifornia Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning David W. Gordon Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools Established by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and State Superintendent Tom Torlakson Co-Chairs Hon. Judith McConnell Administrative Presiding Justice 4th Appellate District Court of Appeal

5. California Task Force on K-12 Civic LearningMembers and Advisory Members Represent a diverse group of California civic leaders and educators, examples include: Members (sample) California Parent Teacher Association (CA PTA) California Chamber of Commerce State Bar of California California Teachers Association (CTA) Mexican American Legal and Educational Defense Fund (MALDEF) Advisory Members (sample) Junior State of America Constitutional Rights Foundation Center for Civic Education Teachers from Schools that won Civic Learning Awards California Council for the Social Studies For a full list of members, visit the Task Force website.

6. California Task Force on K-12 Civic LearningCharge, Timeline and Process • Charge: Craft recommendations for elevating the status of civic learning in K-12 education • Curriculum, Instruction, Resources • Professional Learning • Assessment and Accountability • Community and Business Partnerships • Timeline and Process: • February 7-April 1, 2014 – Public feedback on draft recommendations via Regional Meetings and on-line comments. • Summer, 2014 – California Civic Learning Blueprint submitted to State Superintendent and Chief Justice for consideration

7. Your ideas are important! • Review the draft recommendations - as follows in this PowerPoint • And/or read the draft Revitalizing Civic Learning in California: A Call to Action document • Submit your comments on-line • And/or attend a Task Force Regional Meeting

8. Tools and Resources to Strengthen Civic Learning Free and downloadable at www.civicmissionofschools.org

9. Tools and Resources to Strengthen Civic Learning Free and downloadable at http://www.lacoe.edu/CurriculumInstruction/HistorySocialScience.aspx

10. Tools and Resources to Strengthen Civic Learning Free and downloadable at socialstudies.org/c3 Introductory webcast and resources: http://www.lacoe.edu/CurriculumInstruction/HistorySocialScience.aspx

11. Tools and Resources to Strengthen Civic Learning California Department of Education Brokers of Expertise myboe.org

12. Tools and Resources to Strengthen Civic Learning

13. Draft RecommendationsStandards, Assessment and Accountability • Revise the California History-Social Science Standards and Frameworks to incorporate an emphasis on civic learning starting in Kindergarten • Establish a timeline and process for updating standards • Define desired outcomes for each grade level K-12 • Scant attention paid to civic learning in current standards

14. Draft RecommendationsStandards, Assessment and Accountability (cont.) • Integrate civic learning into state assessment and accountability systems for students, schools, and districts • Measure mastery of civic knowledge, skills and attitudes • Include in assessments of Common Core State Standards • Test small samples rather than every student (e.g. matrix sampling) • Annual Civic Learning Report Card

15. Draft RecommendationsStandards, Assessment and Accountability (cont.) • Recognize students, teachers, principals, schools and districts that are exemplary • Digital Badges • Certificates • Competitive Awards

16. Draft RecommendationsTeaching and Curriculum • Develop professional learning experiences for teachers and administrators to help them integrate civic learning in schools. • Integrate all along, starting in teacher and administrator preparation • Professional learning should focus on research based proven practices • Connect professional learning in civics to Common Core State Standards. • CA is already in the process of implementing common core standards • There is a natural connection between civic learning and common core

17. Draft RecommendationsTeaching and Curriculum (cont.) • Develop a progressive, articulated sequence of courses for civic learning across of all K-12 • Peg to revised common core standards • Draw on research based practices; action oriented and project based. • Develop a best practices clearinghouse to support effective civic learning • Clearinghouse should include teacher training modules, curriculum and instructional materials for K-12 civic learning • All should be validated for quality and aligned with Common Core • Establish a consortium of interested districts to create models for other districts to use and adapt.

18. Draft RecommendationsFamilies and Communities • Support sustained engagement of families, communities organizations and businesses in student civic learning. • Create mechanism for stakeholders to support, participate and provide input into in school and out of school civic learning. • Develop and launch a communications campaign to enhance public understanding of civic learning. • Try to reach those who are not engaged in civic life. • Work with families, community organizations, and businesses to identify what they can do and provide tools that groups can use to take action. • Create internships for students • Business and community groups sponsor clubs • Support current Civic Learning Awards, and/or create local civic awards for students, teachers, community organizations, business

19. Draft Recommendations Funding • Explore opportunities to tap into existing funding streams for example • Common Core State Standard Implementation Funds • Local Control Funding Formula and Local Control Accountability Plans • Linked Learning Funds • Other? • Generate new funding streams • Small portion of state revenue to fund the above recommendations • Seek a portion of federal state and local professional learning funds for civic learning • Seek private foundation grants to support the development of replicable, high quality civic learning and to pilot the Civics Report Card.

20. Next Steps • To submit comments on-line and/or • To register for a Regional Meeting • Visit the Task Force Website at www.myboe.org/go/groups/CivicLearningTaskforce • Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CACivicLearning Thank you!