Civic Mission of Schools OpEd pieces

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