colorado campaign for the civic mission of schools educating for democracy educating for 21 st...

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of SchoolsEducating for Democracy

Educating for 21st Century Democracy: State of the State Report: Part I

The Local Picture

Jill K. ConradDirector, CMS Campaign


Research Points to Research Points to 6 Promising Approaches to 6 Promising Approaches to

Improve Civic EducationImprove Civic Education

1. Formal instruction in govt, history, law, and democracy

2. Discussion of current issues and events

3. Opportunities to apply what learned through service-learning

4. Extracurricular activities that allow involvement

5. Student voice and participation in school governance

6. Participation in simulations of democratic processes and procedures


All Civic Competencies are Important(knowledge, skills, & dispositions)

• Developmentally appropriate learning opportunities beginning beginning in early grades and in early grades and continuing at each grade continuing at each grade levellevel best for optimal learning of civic competencies

• Focus on ALL 3 strands of civic competencies (k, s, d) best

civic knowledge

civic dispositions

Explicit and intentional instruction

K-12 civic skills (thinking and participatory)


CO CampaignCO CampaignOverarching QuestionOverarching Question

• What would need to happen to ensure that all CO students receive an adequate amount (access/quantity)(access/quantity) to high quality civic learning opportunities (quality)(quality) throughout their K-12 education?


What is happening in Colorado?What is happening in Colorado?

A 2003-2005 Colorado Study w/CASB revealed a civic learning opportunity gapcivic learning opportunity gap where as many as

50% of students may lack access to social studies instruction in the elementary, and in some cases, middle school grades.

Most civic learning in CO is concentrated in high school….too little, too late

Have our schools lost sight of their civic mission? Have our schools lost sight of their civic mission?


Opportunities: Some Things May Opportunities: Some Things May Make a Difference in CO SchoolsMake a Difference in CO Schools

2005 study suggests that some things may make a difference: • Constellation of policiesConstellation of policies: Intentional district policy with

multiple reinforcements of importance of civic learning• Effective delivery system designEffective delivery system design:: Quality curriculum design

WITH clear program of instruction, K-12• Clear expectationsClear expectations:: Principals, teachers, students, and

parents perceive civic learning as a priority• Capacity and resourcesCapacity and resources:: High quality professional

development, curriculum development, instructional materials, etc.


2006 Survey of Colorado Superintendents 2006 Survey of Colorado Superintendents & School Boards& School Boards

• Agreement on Civic Mission: Agreement on Civic Mission: Vast majority (approx 70%) view the civic mission as an integral part of the academic mission of education, equally important as workforce & college prep

• BUT…Is Civic Mission in the MissionBUT…Is Civic Mission in the Mission?:?: Over 60% said “NO”

• Are We Meeting the Civic MissionAre We Meeting the Civic Mission?:?: 50% said somewhat successful; 20% said successful or highly successful; 10% said unsuccessful

• Supports?Supports?:: The Good News: more than half said they’d had some opportunity for curriculum development or professional development in social studies or civics within the last 1-3 years (including a review of standards)



• 2121stst Century Civics Needs 21 Century Civics Needs 21stst Century Strategies: Century Strategies: Vast majority (approx 70%) agrees with this statement; 20% strongly agrees

• 6 Promising Practices: 6 Promising Practices: All districts have some, mostly in high school (but not necessarily for all students). Top Requests for Help:• #1 (Instruction) 43% of Supts; 83% of School Boards; • #2 (Discussion) 53% of Supts; 50% of School Boards• #6 (Simulations) 50% of Supts; 40% of School Boards• #5 (Student Governance) 33% of Supts; 50% of School Boards• #3 (Service-Learning) 37% of Supts; 40% of School Boards

• Priority LevelPriority Level?:?: High Priority (6% of Supts; 25% of School Boards); Growing priority (47% of Supts; 25% of School Boards); Somewhat (31% of Supts; 37% of School Boards); Low Priority (16% of Supts; 12% of School Boards)



• Barriers to Making Civic Learning More of Barriers to Making Civic Learning More of a Priority: a Priority: • Other Priorities (45%)• CSAP Testing (32% Supts; 57% School Boards)• Lack of Resources (43% Supts; 43% School Boards)• Political/partisan concerns (43% School Boards)• Lack of knowledge of effective civic learning strategies

(37% Supts)



• Local Strategies to Help Districts Meet Their Civic Mission:Local Strategies to Help Districts Meet Their Civic Mission:• School Board Members said:

– More community support for this as a goal (71%) and more community partnerships to help (57%),

– More resources to support social studies (57%),– Support to develop whole schools focused on civic mission

• Superintendents said: • More curriculum development (57%); • More rigor in high school graduation requirement for civics (50%); • more incentives to motivate schools to improve civic mission through school

improvement process (46%); • more resources to fully implement social studies (43%)

• Both also wanted to see more recognition for quality civic learning outcomes



• Top State Strategies that Would Help Districts Meet Their Top State Strategies that Would Help Districts Meet Their Civic Mission:Civic Mission:• School Board Members said:

– More state support to implement social studies standards (71%)– More positive recognition of schools or districts that address their civic mission

(71%)– Stronger emphasis on civic mission in accreditation process (57%)– More incentives and supports for schools and districts to build civic mission into

district improvement plans (43%)• Superintendents said:

• More resources (46%)• More incentives for civic mission schools (40%)• More recognition for civic mission schools (39%)• Better links between high school civics & voter registration (36%)• Opportunity to review and update civics standards (36%)• A stronger emphasis on teachers’ roles in educating for democracy (teacher prep

and certification) (32%)



• Other “State” Strategies that Would Help Districts Other “State” Strategies that Would Help Districts Meet Their Civic Mission:Meet Their Civic Mission:• School Board Members said:

– Access to instructional materials (70%)– More support to integrate civic learning into other content areas (57%)– More professional development for teachers (43%)

• Superintendents said: • More professional development (50%)• More support to integrate civic learning into other content areas (50%)

• Better links b/w civics & literacy instruction (36%)• Better access to instructional resources online (43%)• More recognition for quality practice in civic learning (39%)


ECS’ Policy Checklist for ECS’ Policy Checklist for States & School DistrictsStates & School Districts

1. Standards & Accountability2. Curriculum & Instruction3. Professional Development4. Resources/Funding5. Partnerships6. Shared Vision & Culture

Colorado Campaign for the Civic Mission of SchoolsEducating for DemocracyReactor Panel: A Reactor Panel: A

Conversation with Local Conversation with Local LeadersLeaders

Dr. John Hefty, ModeratorPanelists: • Dr. Monte Moses, Superintendent, Cherry Creek

School District• Dr. Cindy Stevenson, Superintendent, Jefferson

County Public Schools• Theresa Peňa, DPS School Board President• Peggy Altoff, President, National Council for the

Social Studies (& CO Springs D-11)• Suzanne de Lemos, Teacher, Adams 12• Jim Spehar, President, CO Municipal League


Educating for Educating for 2121stst Century Democracy Century Democracy

• What is the responsibility of local leaders (education, municipal, community) prepare all youth to shape the civic future of Colorado communities?

colorado campaign for the civic mission of schools educating for democracy educating for 21 st...

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