Basic overview
Civic Mission of Schools PDF Document
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Co-Chair, Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
Dear Civic Mission of Schools Community:
As Thanksgiving approaches the Campaign wants each of you to know how very Thankful we are for your involvement with and concern for the civic mission of our schools. Here is an update on recent activities, studies and projects.
A Petition reminding all that schools are about preparing students for College, Career and CITIZENSHIP:
The Campaign is sponsoring a petition campaign to remind all policymakers of the essential and historic role schools play in providing the knowledge, skills and disposition for informed and engaged citizenship. The goal of education is more then preparing students for higher education and a successful career; equally important is the role schools play in providing civic participation skills. We are calling this the "Three C-s of Education Petition Campaign." This petition is designed to remind policymakers and the public of the essential civic mission of schools. The petition language is attached. We ask you all to sign the petition. We also ask all associated with CMS to publicize the petition widely through your communication networks. We encourage those with websites to place the petition 'widget' on your site, providing a link to the petition page. The petition drive was launched at the annual conference of the National Council for the Social Studies where well over 1,500 signatures were gathered. This petition will be presented to local, state and federal education policymakers in 2011.
Click here to view the petition page.
Justice O'Connor and Congressman Hamilton Star in PSAs about civic learning:
CMS National Advisory Committee Co Chairs Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Congressman Lee Hamilton have joined together to appear in two very effective Public Service Announcements on the importance of effective civic learning for all students. The PSAs have been sent to television stations nation-wide for broadcast. Look for these wonderful PSAs on your local stations. If you don't see them, call your local stations and ask that they air the Justice O'Connor/Congressman Hamilton PSAs sent to the stations through the National Association of Broadcasters feed on November 19th. These PSAs will bring much needed attention to the cause. Justice O'Connor, founder of iCivics (www.icivics.org) and Congressman Hamilton, founder of the Center on Congress (www.centeroncongress.org) are not only two dynamic civic learning game designers; they are the most effective spokespersons for the cause of restoring the civic mission of schools. Thank you Justice O'Connor and iCivics, thank you Congressman Hamilton and the Center on Congress! Here are links to these two creative and important PSAs:
http://www.doublerproductions.com/public/CenterOnCongress/FutureCitizensFINAL.mp4
http://www.doublerproductions.com/public/CenterOnCongress/SignersFINAL.mp4
Civic Learning featured on NewsHour, Justice O'Connor interview with Judy Woodruff:
Speaking of the very busy Justice O'Connor, last month she sat down for a well received interview with renowned Journalist Judy Woodruff for PBS' "The NewsHour." The interview covered civic learning, iCivics and much more, the interview can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY2n7PoU_8Q
What do front-line teachers think? What do they teach in the classroom?
The well-respected 'think tank' the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) has released a study on the attitudes of front-line high school social studies/civics teachers, what they teach, and how effective they believe their schools approach to civic learning is. The study shows that front-line teachers own attitudes and views are (in the author's words) "...in step with those of ordinary Americans writ large." The study also describes the concepts and history the teachers are teaching. Disturbingly but not surprisingly the study shows most surveyed teachers believe that civics/social studies are not a priority in their schools and that testing is partly to blame. The Executive Summary of this study is attached. The full study can be accessed at: www.aei.org/paper/100145
A huge CMS Thank You to the always honorable Les Francis and his Federal policy Task-force of CMS. Les and his Task-force have been very busy ensuring civic learning receives proper treatment and adequate resources in moves by the Administration and on Capitol Hill. We are all very grateful to these volunteers in service for civics!
Any movement such as ours needs new blood and fresh perspectives in order to succeed. The movement to restore the civic mission of schools is abundantly blessed with young emerging dynamic leaders. Examples include David Smith, founder of Mobilize.org and now Executive Director of the National Conference on Citizenship; Trey Grayson, Secretary of State of Kentucky who has a deep passion for the civic mission of schools; Scott Warren, founder of 'Generation Citizen' and Allen Gannett, founder of 'Future Citizens,' both of whom founded programs to bring civic learning to under-served school populations, while in College! Other young emerging leaders include our own Jon Gould (temporarily on loan to the White House), Abby Taylor and Jeff Curley, the dynamic staff of the iCivics Program; Chris Golden and Nick Troiano of 'My Impact. This gang of twenty and thirty somethings are doing vital, important work. Most importantly their involvement is a bright harbinger of future leadership dedicated to effective civic learning for the 21st Century. Now, that is something to be very Thankful about!
CIRCLE & CERG = The best in Civic Learning Research:
A reminder, looking for the latest in civic learning & engagement research, trends and studies? Go to the Center on Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, CIRCLE, Dr. Peter Levine & Company at www.civicyouth.org . Also check out the work of Dr. Joseph Kahne and his Mills College (California) Civic Engagement Research Group at www.civicsurvey.org/. We are fortunate that both Peter and Joe are very active members of our Coalition.
That's it for this update. Please help us spread the Three C's of Education Petition widely and please sign yourself. A very Happy Thanksgiving to all, please know how very thankful we are for your involvement in the civic mission of schools.
For the CMS Coalition
Very best regards,
Ted
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Ted McConnell
Executive Director
Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
8555 16th St, Suite 500
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-588-1800, Extn. 123
301-588-2049 (fax)
202-716-0077 (cell)
www.civicmissionofschools.org
TCCLE:
