21 st century civic literacy rebecca tinder bowles rice mcdavid graff & love llp tom tinder...
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21st Century Civic Literacy
Rebecca Tinder
Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP
Tom Tinder
Executive Director
West Virginia State Bar
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
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 LiteracyDispositions
•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 LiteracyAn 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?
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
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
• High School Mentorship
• Judge/Lawyer Speakers
• Constitution Day – September 17
• Law Day – May 1
• LAWS Program
• Project Citizen
Available Programs And Resources
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.orgCivitas: A Framework for Civic EducationNational Council of the Social Studies21st Century Partnership
Questionsand/or
Comments?
Thank you for being a civic leader and helping to promote good
citizenship!