New policy to help districts increase their civics focus
Published: August 1, 2006
The headlines these days are filled with discouraging news about sagging voting rates among young Americans and widespread ignorance and apathy about government. In a state like California, with its heavy reliance on ballot initiatives to settle major policy disputes, it’s especially important that residents exercise their right to participate in the electoral process. Civic education is also critical to give the state’s substantial immigrant population an introduction to how American government works.
To help districts increase their focus on civic education, CSBA is preparing a new sample board policy, BP 6142.3—Civic Education. Districts that subscribe to one of CSBA’s policy services will receive a copy of the new policy in their next packet. The sample policy addresses the purposes of civic education, integration into courses of study, recommended topics for instruction based on state and national standards, and legal requirements for providing education on the U.S. Constitution each year on Sept. 17, which is both Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
In a related vein, the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools has developed curriculum materials and ideas for service learning programs to engage the next generation of voters in connection with the next Constitution Day. Because Sept. 17 falls on a Sunday this year, schools are asked to schedule their events for the week of Sept. 11-15.
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