New CDE award to honor high school’ ‘civic engagement’
State Ed Board approves seal to put 'additional tools in students’ hands as they work to shape the future,' state schools chief says
California high school graduates can now earn a seal that signals their understanding of what it means to be an active participant in a democracy.
The State Board of Education has approved standards for students to earn a new Seal of Civic Engagement, an incentive aimed at encouraging active and ongoing citizenship, California Department of Education officials announced Friday.
To earn the seal, students must demonstrate excellence in civic learning, participation in civicsrelated projects, contributions to their community, and an understanding of the U.S. Constitution, the state Constitution, and the American democratic system.
Students may earn the seal on a transcript, diploma, or certificate of completion. California history and social science teachers worked in partnership with state education officials to develop the initial requirements.
“The future of our democracy depends on a knowledgeable and actively engaged citizenry,” State Board President Linda Darling-Hammond said in a press release. “With this new seal, we hope to prepare all students with an empathetic concern for others, a deep understanding of democracy, and the civic engagement skills needed to contribute to the welfare of their local communities, the state, and the country.”
“We know that when young people activate their voices, they can be among the strongest change agents in our communities,” added State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “Education is the cornerstone of realizing our democratic ideals, and this new seal puts additional tools in students’ hands as they work to shape the future.”
After former Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 24 into law in October 2017, state education leaders worked with teachers, a variety of stakeholder groups, and the public to draft criteria and guidance for the seal, Thurmond noted in the prepared statement.
The criteria are:
• Be engaged in academic work in a productive way;
• Demonstrate a “competent understanding” of the federal and state constitutions; functions and governance of local governments; tribal government structures and organizations; the role of the citizen in a constitutional democracy; and democratic principles, concepts, and processes;
• Participate in one or more informed civic engagement project(s) that address “real-world problems and require students to identify and inquire into civic needs or problems, consider varied responses, take action, and reflect on efforts”;
• Demonstrate civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions through self-reflection; and
• Exhibit character traits that reflect “civic-mindedness and a commitment to positively impact the classroom, school, community, and/or society.” The criteria include guidance to support school districts as they introduce the seal criteria in their communities, Thurmond wrote.
The CDE also created a Resources to Support Civic Engagement web page. Visit www.cde.ca.gov. Under the direction of the State Board, the Department worked to ensure that the criteria are “accessible to all students, support rigorous and continuous civic engagement, promote diversity and inclusion, engage young students, reflect an interdisciplinary approach, and recognize civil disobedience as a form of civic engagement,” according to the announcement’s wording.