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From: Michelle Herczog, LA County Office of Education
Civic Mission of Schools Update:
OpEd Blitz Across the Nation Promotes Civic Education for America’s Youth
The recent presidential election has energized Americans, and particularly young people, to become actively engaged citizens by voting, campaigning, debating, and impacting public policy at local, state, and national levels of our democracy. The Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, led by Executive Director Ted McConnell, has led a nationwide media blitz to continue the momentum for promoting civic education in our schools.
Please read the articles listed below and the ones attached. Share them with your colleagues, State Legislators, the California Department of Education, the California State Board of Education, your local school board, and front line administrators and teachers to restore the civic mission of every school in the nation!
"School Administrator Magazine"
The October issue, published by Coalition member the American Association of School Administrators, was dedicated to the civic mission of schools, with powerful articles by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Carl Glickman, Charles Haynes, Terry Pickeral, Peter Levine, Matt Leighninger and Shelley Berman. To view these great articles go to http://www.aasa.org/sa, look at 'back issues', and click on the October 2008 issue.
"Public School Insights," First Alliance Newsletter
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on Turning Students into Citizens
Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor offers ideas for reinvigorating civics education in American public schools. Among her recommendations: more time for civics, better civics curriculum and more dynamic teaching. Read more...
http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/?storyId=8484&lk=7332346-7332346-0-34057-cZ-i-IHfvaq50jik-JzF0Dnt6FeruL6n
"Believe in What You Teach": An Interview with Award-Winning Civics Teacher Cheryl Cook-Kallio
Cheryl Cook-Kallio puts her money where her mouth is. After decades of teaching civics in American public schools, she won a seat on the Pleasanton, California City Council. She recently told us about her innovative, hands-on approach to civic education. Read more... http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/?storyId=23506&lk=7332346-7332346-0-34057-cZ-i-IHfvaq50jik-JzF0Dnt6FeruL6n
Closing the "Civic Achievement Gap": A Conversation with Harvard Researcher Meira Levinson
Meira Levinson warns of a civic achievement gap that is every bit as troubling as academic achievement gaps. Poor students and students of color lag behind their peers in civic knowledge and engagement. Even worse, they are far less likely to believe they can make a difference through civic action. Levinson spoke with us about these gaps--and what schools can do to narrow them. Read more... http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/?storyId=23549&lk=7332346-7332346-0-34057-cZ-i-IHfvaq50jik-JzF0Dnt6FeruL6n
Tackling the "Empowerment Gap": An Interview with Award-Winning Superintendent Shelley Berman
As the celebrated superintendent of Hudson, Massachusetts schools, Dr. Sheldon Berman distinguished himself as one of the nation's leading champions of civic education. Since coming to Louisville, Kentucky a year ago, Berman has maintained his passionate commitment to civics. He recently spoke with us about his work in Jefferson County Public Schools. Read more... http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/?storyId=23575&lk=7332346-7332346-0-34057-cZ-i-IHfvaq50jik-JzF0Dnt6FeruL6n
Civic Youth
CIRCLE website: http://civicyouth.org/ to get Peter Levine & Company's authoritative analysis of the 2008 Youth Vote.
For more information about the Civic Mission of Schools, go to:
http://www.civicmissionofschools.org
Showing posts with label advocacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advocacy. Show all posts
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Important News from T4SJ!
From: Teachers 4 Social Justice [mailto:teachers4socialjustice@yahoo.com]
Please join T4SJ in one of the following ways:
1. SUPPORT THE DREAM OF LATINO STUDENTS! We need you to help send a message to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund:
"Open ALL Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarships to Undocumented Students!"
Protest, HSF Headquarters!!! We won't stand for discrimination!!!
When: Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 4:30pm
Where: 55 Second St., San Francisco, CA, for a map: http://tinyurl.com/5663xv
Website: http://www.openhsfscholarships.pbwiki.com
Please, sign the petition online:
http://www.petitiononline.com/2college/
2. SAY YES TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, SAY NO TO PRIVATIZATION!
Today, we celebrate Barack Obama's momentous election as President of the United States. Our vision of educational justice, access, opportunity, and equity includes having a Department of Education whose officials embrace the idea of a quality education as part of the common good.
T4SJ is one of 6 groups working together nationally for educational justice. Find out more about the above statement and sign on! Please visit our website at http://www.teacheractivistgroups.org/ to sign the online petition to keep public education public!!
3. T4SJ Monthly General Meeting - COME GET INVOLVED!
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 * 6-8pm * 523 Dolores Street, SF
For more info on this and the events above, visit http://www.t4sj.org and click on our Upcoming Events page.
Please join T4SJ in one of the following ways:
1. SUPPORT THE DREAM OF LATINO STUDENTS! We need you to help send a message to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund:
"Open ALL Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarships to Undocumented Students!"
Protest, HSF Headquarters!!! We won't stand for discrimination!!!
When: Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 4:30pm
Where: 55 Second St., San Francisco, CA, for a map: http://tinyurl.com/5663xv
Website: http://www.openhsfscholarships.pbwiki.com
Please, sign the petition online:
http://www.petitiononline.com/2college/
2. SAY YES TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, SAY NO TO PRIVATIZATION!
Today, we celebrate Barack Obama's momentous election as President of the United States. Our vision of educational justice, access, opportunity, and equity includes having a Department of Education whose officials embrace the idea of a quality education as part of the common good.
T4SJ is one of 6 groups working together nationally for educational justice. Find out more about the above statement and sign on! Please visit our website at http://www.teacheractivistgroups.org/ to sign the online petition to keep public education public!!
3. T4SJ Monthly General Meeting - COME GET INVOLVED!
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 * 6-8pm * 523 Dolores Street, SF
For more info on this and the events above, visit http://www.t4sj.org and click on our Upcoming Events page.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Back to School News from the California Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
From: Constitutional Rights Foundation [mailto:crf@crf-usa.org]
Welcome back to school! Below are some immediate civic education opportunities for you to share with your schools, as well as a few updates on campaign work done during the summer.
MOCK ELECTION
California Secretary of State Debra Bowen is again sponsoring the popular Mock Election program and is expanding it to include middle schools. Hundreds of schools participated last year, and we are looking forward to big turn out with middle schools involved. Schools that sign up can print free materials from the website. So please have your schools register soon at: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/studentmockelection.htm
AB 2544
We are disappointed to report that AB 2544, sponsored by Assembly Members Mullins and DeSaulnier, requiring the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to create a model civic education professional development plan for California was not enacted in this legislative session. Though it passed the Assembly easily by 71-3, sailed through Senate Education Committee with a 9-0 vote, and enjoyed broad support from more than a dozen statewide education groups, representing thousands of members, it died in the Senate Appropriations Suspense file with many other bills as a result of the state budget crisis. We are actively working to learn more and to evaluate next steps.
HISTORY SOCIAL SCIENCE SUMMIT
CMS is partnering with the History Social Science Project on a new statewide movement to fight back against the marginalization of History and Social Science in California schools. The initiative was launched in May with the first of a series of History Summits, and has developed free tools for educators to use when they face cutbacks in history and social science education. To access advocacy resources and learn more about the History Summits, visit: http://historysummit.ucdavis.edu
Welcome back to school! Below are some immediate civic education opportunities for you to share with your schools, as well as a few updates on campaign work done during the summer.
MOCK ELECTION
California Secretary of State Debra Bowen is again sponsoring the popular Mock Election program and is expanding it to include middle schools. Hundreds of schools participated last year, and we are looking forward to big turn out with middle schools involved. Schools that sign up can print free materials from the website. So please have your schools register soon at: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/studentmockelection.htm
AB 2544
We are disappointed to report that AB 2544, sponsored by Assembly Members Mullins and DeSaulnier, requiring the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to create a model civic education professional development plan for California was not enacted in this legislative session. Though it passed the Assembly easily by 71-3, sailed through Senate Education Committee with a 9-0 vote, and enjoyed broad support from more than a dozen statewide education groups, representing thousands of members, it died in the Senate Appropriations Suspense file with many other bills as a result of the state budget crisis. We are actively working to learn more and to evaluate next steps.
HISTORY SOCIAL SCIENCE SUMMIT
CMS is partnering with the History Social Science Project on a new statewide movement to fight back against the marginalization of History and Social Science in California schools. The initiative was launched in May with the first of a series of History Summits, and has developed free tools for educators to use when they face cutbacks in history and social science education. To access advocacy resources and learn more about the History Summits, visit: http://historysummit.ucdavis.edu
California Council for the Social Studies: JOIN!
From: Michelle Herczog [mailto:herczog_michelle@yahoo.com]
The California Council for the Social Studies
is the leading voice for History-Social Science education in
California. It represents educators in all fields of the Social Studies
including history, geography, economics, political science, civics,
law, archaeology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and the
humanities at all educational levels from kindergarten through
university.
CCSS Serves the Profession and the Membership Through:
• Advocacy for expanded quality Social Studies education programs for all K-12 students
• Visibility and communication of a strengthened History-Social Science discipline in California schools
• CCSS 48th Annual Conference: Historical Literacy in a Changing World, March 6-8, 2009 at the Ontario Convention Center
• Social Studies Review Journal with articles and teaching ideas related to specific high priority topics
• The Sunburst, quarterly newsletter with current and critical information about school reform issues, social studies professional development and leadership opportunities, and curriculum support
• Leadership Opportunities to participate on CCSS committees such as Curriculum & Instruction, Diversity and Social Justice, Governmental Relations, Membership, Professional Standards and Awards, and Publications
• Professional Recognition and celebration of excellence in social
studies leadership, programs and teaching at the elementary, middle, secondary, and higher education levels
EVERY HISTORY-SS TEACHER IN CALIFORNIA SHOULD BE A MEMBER OF CCSS, OUR PREMIER PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION – SEE THE ATTACHED MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND JOIN NOW!!!
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The California Council for the Social Studies
is the leading voice for History-Social Science education in
California. It represents educators in all fields of the Social Studies
including history, geography, economics, political science, civics,
law, archaeology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and the
humanities at all educational levels from kindergarten through
university.
CCSS Serves the Profession and the Membership Through:
• Advocacy for expanded quality Social Studies education programs for all K-12 students
• Visibility and communication of a strengthened History-Social Science discipline in California schools
• CCSS 48th Annual Conference: Historical Literacy in a Changing World, March 6-8, 2009 at the Ontario Convention Center
• Social Studies Review Journal with articles and teaching ideas related to specific high priority topics
• The Sunburst, quarterly newsletter with current and critical information about school reform issues, social studies professional development and leadership opportunities, and curriculum support
• Leadership Opportunities to participate on CCSS committees such as Curriculum & Instruction, Diversity and Social Justice, Governmental Relations, Membership, Professional Standards and Awards, and Publications
• Professional Recognition and celebration of excellence in social
studies leadership, programs and teaching at the elementary, middle, secondary, and higher education levels
EVERY HISTORY-SS TEACHER IN CALIFORNIA SHOULD BE A MEMBER OF CCSS, OUR PREMIER PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION – SEE THE ATTACHED MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND JOIN NOW!!!
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