Transcript 21st Century Civic Literacy Content

21st Century Civic Literacy
Rebecca Tinder
Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP
Tom Tinder
Executive Director
West Virginia State Bar
21st Century Civic Literacy
What is civic literacy?
•Civic-related knowledge
--historical and contemporary
•Cognitive and participatory skills
--and associated behaviors
•Dispositions
--motivations for behavior and values/attitudes
21st Century Civic Literacy
Why is civic literacy so important in
the 21st Century?
21st Century Civic Literacy
Two-thirds of students scored below
"proficient" on the last national civics
assessment administered in 2006, and
72% of 8th graders surveyed could not
identify the historical purpose of the
Declaration of Independence.
(“Civics 2006: the Nation’s Report Card,” National
Assessment of Educational Progress, administered by
the National Assessment Governing Board)
21st Century Civic Literacy
In a 2004 poll 91% of adults responded
that they were more likely to support
policymakers who support
strengthening civic education in the
schools.
(“Citizenship: A Challenge for All Generations,” available
at www.ncsl.org, ‘Trust for Representative Democracy’)
21st Century Civic Literacy
Civic education helps form the attitudes
of students in ways employers report
seeking in their employees. Students
who experience high quality civic
learning are more tolerant of others,
more willing to listen to differing points
of view and take greater responsibility
for their actions and to improve their
communities.
(Research available at www.civiced.org)
21st Century Civic Literacy
•An essential purpose of education
•Continuation of democracy
•Exercise the rights and obligations of
citizenship at local, state, national and
global levels
21st Century Civic Literacy
Citizenship is not a spectator sport.
• Informed, responsible citizens are needed
to participate in the political process
• Fewer and fewer Americans are exercising
their civic rights and responsibilities
• 51% of the voting age population voted in
the 2000 presidential election
Voter Turnout in Presidential Elections
21st Century Civic Literacy
Why are these statistics so alarming?
The largest decline in American history since 1960
--Exception is the black vote in the 60’s
1996 and 1998 elections
--Substantially lower than in any other
presidential & off-year elections in two centuries.
21st Century Civic Literacy
Citizenship is not a spectator sport.
• 53% of Baby Boomers said their parents’
generation are more concerned citizens and are
more involved in community
• 77% said the nation is worse off because of less
involvement in community activities
• 50% said we are less trustworthy now
21st Century Civic Literacy
Why is civic engagement in community
activities so important to democracy?
1. It allows individuals to express their interests/demands
on government/elected officials.
2. It creates a platform where voices can multiply/amplify.
3. It instills habits of cooperation and public spiritedness.
4. It provides an opportunity to learn the social and civic
skills necessary for active participation.
5. It creates forums of thoughtful deliberation over vital
public issues.
21st Century Civic Literacy
• Americans must take responsibility for
building communities
• Contribute their diverse talents and
energies to solve local, national, and global
problems
• Deliberate about public issues
• Influence public policy
• Vote and pursue the common good
21st Century Civic Literacy
What do our students need to know, do
and understand to be responsible,
civically literate 21st Century citizens?
21st Century Civic Literacy
Content: Standard 1 - Citizenship
Citizenship education prepares students to be informed,
active and effective citizens who accept their
responsibilities, understand their privileges and rights and
participate actively in society and government. To be
successful participants in society, students must
understand how to build social capital (a network of
social relationships) that encourages reciprocity and
trust, two characteristics of civic virtue and good
citizenship.
21st Century Civic Literacy
Content: Standard 1 – Citizenship Cont’d
Students must be able to research issues, form
reasoned opinions, support their positions and engage
in the political process. Students exercise tolerance and
empathy, respect the rights of others, and share a concern
for the common good while acting responsibly with the
interests of the larger community in mind. Students
must learn and practice intellectual and participatory skills
essential for an involved citizenry. To develop these skills,
the curriculum must extend beyond the school to include
experiences in the workplace and service in the
community.
21st Century Civic Literacy
Content: Standard 2 – Civics/Government
Civics directly
addresses citizenship
education in the context of political systems.
Students develop global awareness and
study the foundations of various world
governments and the strategies they
employ to achieve their goals.
21st Century Civic Literacy
Content: Standard 2 – Civics/Government (Cont’d)
With respect to the United States, students
learn
the
underlying
principles
of
representative democracy, the constitutional
separation of powers and the rule of law.
The students learn the origins and meaning of
the principles, ideals and core democratic
values expressed in the foundational
documents of the United States. Students
recognize
the
need
for
authority,
government
and
the
rights
and
responsibilities of citizens.
21st Century Civic Literacy
Content
What is a democracy?
• A government by the people, either
directly or
indirectly through their
elected representatives.
• Majority rule
• Democratic self-government requires
an actively engaged citizenry.
21st Century Civic Literacy
Dispositions
Civic Virtues:
• Active Participation
• Trustworthiness
• Reciprocity
21st Century Civic Literacy
Dispositions
•Take an interest in the actions of public
officials
--be informed
--attend school board/city council
meetings
--voice your opinions
•Provide for the common good
--Participate in community activities
--Volunteer/ Give to charities
•Participate in the political process
--Vote/ Serve on juries
--Obey laws
21st Century Civic Literacy
Learning Skills
*Information and Communication Skills
*Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
*Interpersonal and Self-Directional Skills
21st Century Civic Literacy
An effective program should empower students to
• understand, analyze and participate in government
• understand and develop a commitment to the principles
and values found in our core documents
• participate effectively in the local, state, national and
global community
• apply 21st century skills to make intelligent decisions
that reflect understandings of historic implications
• understand the role and influence of leaders
• develop a broader sense of political awareness
21st Century Civic Literacy
How do we assist them to become
informed citizens prepared to participate
in our political process?
21st Century Civic Literacy
We as Americans know that it is a rare
and precious gift to live in a society that
permits and values citizen participation.
We must deliberately teach it.
--It does not come naturally
21st Century Civic Literacy
We must provide real-world experiences that
empower students and give them
opportunities to participate in citizenship
activities.
21st Century Civic Literacy
We must deliberately teach it.
Work with your local communities.
21st Century Civic Literacy
Support the efforts of your staffs to
learn and to incorporate these
concepts.
21st Century Civic Literacy
Desirable Outcomes
• Students should posses a reasoned commitment to
those fundamental values and principles of our
political heritage that are contained in such
documents as the Declaration of Independence,
Constitution and Bill of Rights, and others.
• This commitment to these values and principles
should serve as a moral compass guiding their
participation in both their private and public
relationships.
21st Century Civic Literacy
Desirable Outcomes
• Students should have acquired the knowledge of
politics and government and the intellectual and
participatory skills that are required for informed
and competent participation.
• Finally, they should have developed the public and
private dispositions of character such as civility,
tolerance, and compassion that enhance their
inclination and capacity to participate fully in our
democratic process.
21st Century Civic Literacy
What can you do at your school?
You Are Already …
• Teaching the student code of conduct
• Imposing consequences for behaviors
• Teaching Government and Civics courses
• Student Government (Council)
• Discussing Current Events
Available Programs
And Resources
• We The People Program
• Youth and Government
• Youth In Government
• Street Law
• Teen Court
Available Programs
And Resources
• High School Mentorship
• Judge/Lawyer Speakers
• Constitution Day – September 17
• Law Day – May 1
• LAWS Program
• Project Citizen
Sources
Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone (New York: Simon &
Shuster, 2000)
Margaret Branson, “The Importance of Promoting
Civic Education”, an address to the 2nd Annual
Scholars Conference, Pasadena California, January
31, 2003.
West Virginia Framework for High Achieving
Classrooms
Center for Civic Education www.civiced.org
Civitas: A Framework for Civic Education
National Council of the Social Studies
21st Century Partnership
Contact Us
Tom Tinder (304) 558-7993
[email protected]
Rebecca Tinder (304) 347-2132
[email protected]
Questions
and/or
Comments?
Thank you for
being a civic leader and
helping to promote good
citizenship!