The following links feature news in civic education in the United States and how non-profits like Citizenship Counts make an impact.
October 15, 2012
Democracy Prep Public Schools
Democracy Prep Citizen-Scholars: Vote for Somebody!
May 3, 2012
U.S. News
One in Three Americans Fails Naturalization Civics Test
July 7, 2011
TIME
Media Strategy: Getting the Press to Teach Civics
July 1, 2011
The Daily Beast
How to Reboot Civics Education
NATIONAL ASSESSMENT FOR EDUCATION PROGRESS
June 15, 2011
The Wall Street Journal
Students Stumble Again on the Basics of History
May 14, 2011
The Boston Globe
A Lesson needed in citizenship
May 4, 2011
New York Times
Failing Grades on Civics Exam Called a ‘Crisis
May 4, 2011
Washington Post
Civics knowledge that kids are supposed to know
May 2011
American Bar Association (ABA) Journal
Flunking Civics: Why America’s Kids Know So Little
March 20, 2011
Newsweek
CURRENT LEGISLATION
California
Created a state advisory council for parent involvement in education so that families and schools collaborate with community to provide expanded learning opportunities and civic participation (2009).
Enacted legislation to proclaim California Civics Day for Teachers on the first Friday in December to encourage professional development opportunities focused on civics education (2010).
Florida
Created requirements for a new middle school civic education course in the Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Civics Education Act (2010).
Recognized Liberty Day to encourage elected officials to participate in civics education programs that focus on the United States Constitution (2011).
Illinois
Created After-School Youth Development Project Act to promote and develop youth leadership and civic engagement (2010 and 2011).
Nebraska
Established the Center for Student Leadership and Extended Learning through financial and administrative support by the State Department of Education to provide opportunities for students to participate in educational activities outside the classroom (2009).
Virginia
Directed Board of Education to adapt Standards of Learning in the administration of tests on United States History to 1877, United States History: 1877 to Present, and Civics and Economics to assess student progress (2009).
Required inclusion of local government and civics education specific to Virginia in teacher education (2010).
Developed criteria for awarding a diploma seal for excellence in civics education and comprehension of state and federal constitutions and the democratic model of government in standard and advanced studies (2011).
Washington
Included one-half credit graduation requirement for civics coursework in potential increased overall graduation requirements (2009).
Promotes development of interacting high school civics curriculum to help students learn how to become informed citizens (2009).
