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California Democracy School

The College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards

The California Democracy School Project, originally funded by the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, is designed to institutionalize civic learning in elementary, middle, or high schools to prepare ALL students for college, career, and citizenship in the 21st century. The project strengthens existing initiatives including the Common Core State Standards, the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards, Partnership for 21st Century Learning, and the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools. It can also assist schools in preparing students to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement.

For more information, please contact Michelle M. Herczog, Ed.D., Coordinator III, History-Social Science at (562) 922-6908

California Democracy School Planning Guide Download California Democracy School Planning Guide

Civic Inquiry Rubric Download Civic Inquiry Rubric

Lesson Plan Template Download Lesson Plan Template

Classroom Observation Tool Download Classroom Observation Tool

California  Democracy School Action Plan Templates Download California  Democracy School Action Plan Templates

California Democracy School Blueprint Download California Democracy School Blueprint

California Democracy School Evaluation Download California Democracy School Evaluation

When You Turn 18 – A Legal Survival Guide Download When You Turn 18 – A Legal Survival Guide

When You Turn 18 – A Legal Survival Guide (Spanish) Download When You Turn 18 – A Legal Survival Guide (Spanish)

California Democracy School Awardees Links to an external site.

California Democracy School Application Packet Download California Democracy School Application Packet

California Democracy School Online Course Links to an external site.

LACOE Civic Engagement Recognition Program for Grades 5 and 8 Download LACOE Civic Engagement Recognition Program for Grades 5 and 8

Educating for American Democracy Links to an external site.

California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning Report Download California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning Report

Preparing Students for College, Career, and CITIZENSHIP

Civic Learning Compendium for the California History-Social Science Framework Download Civic Learning Compendium for the California History-Social Science Framework

Reclaiming the Democratic Purpose of California’s Public Schools Download Reclaiming the Democratic Purpose of California’s Public Schools

 

Module 1: Civic Learning in California

 

Module 2: The California Democracy School Initiative
  • Description: Module 2 provides an overview of the California Democracy School Civic Learning Initiative that has institutionalized high quality civic learning across twelve high schools in Los Angeles and Orange Counties in California. Conversation with Ryan Stough, the California Democracy School Civic Learning Coach offers a systems approach to identify important civic competencies of students, nurture a school environment, and build educational support systems to adopt civic learning as an important outcome for all students. The module describes the five essential elements of a high quality civic inquiry and investigation: Inquiry – Investigation – Civil Dialogue – Communicate Conclusions – Take Informed Action. Elements of professional development, assessment, programming, alignment to the Common Core State Standards, the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, Partnership for 21st Century Learning and the Civic Mission of Schools along with video vignettes provide tips and tools for introducing the California Democracy School Initiative to your school.
  • California Democracy Module 2 Video Links to an external site.
  • California Democracy School Planning Guide Download California Democracy School Planning Guide 
  • Civic Inquiry and Investigation Rubric Download Civic Inquiry and Investigation Rubric

 

Module 3: How to Frame a Civic Inquiry

 

Module 4: How to Facilitate an Investigation

 

Module 5: How to Conduct Dialogue About Controversial Issues Using Socratic Seminar

 

Module 6: How to Conduct Dialogue About Controversial Issues Using Philosophical Chairs

 

Module 7: How to conduct Dialogue About Controversial Issues Using Structured Academic Controversy

 

Module 8: Communicating Conclusions

 

Module 9: Taking Informed Action
Module 10: Success Stories from the Field
  • Description: This culminating module of the series offers a general overview of the California Democracy School Civic Learning Initiative and its outcomes. Dr. Tiffany Berry, Associate Director of the Claremont Evaluation Center at Claremont Graduate University discusses the findings of her evaluation of the Initiative. She describes the structures that need to be in place to effectively institutionalize civic learning across schools and the barriers to implementation. Discussion with Michael Matsuda, Superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District highlights the impact of the California Democracy School initiative on the civic competencies and dispositions of students, the instructional practices of teachers, and the climate and culture of the school and school community. Testimonials from students, teachers, school administrators, board members further validate the power of civic learning in preparing the next generation to become informed, responsible, engaged citizens in our American democracy. The module concludes with a video montage of the 2016 California Democracy School Showcase Event held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library that recognizes and celebrates the twelve high schools as California Democracy Schools.
  • California Democracy Module 10 Video Links to an external site.