SAN JOSE, CA – As teachers and students return for the 2016-17 school year, new resources await them in the area of civic engagement. Today, as part of its commitment to support civic education and engagement, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) launched a civic engagement website, civiced.sccoe.org, complete with a short video public service announcement that describes this initiative.
As part of the initiative, a professional development workshop will be held at the SCCOE on August 27 to equip educators in the county with information on useful curricula and lesson plans they can use to enhance civic engagement in local schools. In addition, students will soon be able to take part in a video contest in multiple languages to motivate their peers, family, and community members to participate in the civic process.
Partners of the initiative include the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, the Santa Clara County School Boards Association, the Eastside Alliance, and the County of Santa Clara. These key community stakeholders are helping students "learn, engage, and take action" to increase civic literacy. Partnerships with other local community based organizations are also being developed.
A committee from the partner organizations has been meeting since the spring to steer the initiative and develop resources to provide to schools and stakeholders. This initiative directly supports the goal of the Framework for California Public Schools that, by high school graduation, students are ready for college, careers, and civic life.
Research shows that robust civic learning helps students beyond the classroom – giving them opportunities to analyze, address, and ultimately have a hand in solving complex issues that are important to them and those around them. Furthermore, research findings correlate high-quality civic learning to increased academic achievement, student engagement, and reduced dropout rates.
Future updates will be provided on this initiative as they develop.
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