The Orange County Department of Education is set to highlight local school districts and their students for promoting and engaging in civic learning at the department’s annual OC Civic Learning Celebration.
Hosted at the OC Holocaust Education Center from 4 to 6 p.m. on April 24, the event is designed to offer students a platform to share civic engagement projects they’ve completed throughout the year. Students who have completed OCDE’s Civic Learning Pathway will also be recognized.
To complete the pathway, students must demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of American democracy, understand their role as citizens in that democracy and — most importantly — apply tools of civic engagement to address issues in their communities.
By establishing these educational goals, OCDE aims to help students become informed citizens and show that their voices and actions can drive meaningful change — whether through local government, community events or volunteer work.
OCDE’s Civic Learning Pathway will ensure Orange County students continue to lead the state in civic engagement. According to the California Department of Education, the county once again surpassed the state average in the number of State Seals of Civic Engagement — the state’s own award for excellence in civics education and participation — awarded during the 2023–24 school year. The total more than doubled that of San Diego and Los Angeles counties, the next highest-ranking districts.
In addition, schools offering the Civic Learning Award Pathway will be honored for their commitment to building a brighter future by teaching students how to contribute to a healthy society.
For more information or to register for free, visit the event website. For additional questions, contact OCDE History and Social Science Manager Marika Manos at mmanos@ocde.us.