From organizing beach cleanups on Earth Day to forming a leadership club on campus, Orange County students are earning the attention of state leaders for their concern for others and a deep understanding of democracy.
In fact, 3,867 seniors from local school districts are expected to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement this June.
Approved by the state Board of Education in 2020, the seal, which is affixed to student transcripts, diplomas and certifications of completion, indicates that the graduate understands the principles of democracy, the United States Constitution and the California Constitution.
In the 2020-21 academic year, the state issued 2,240 Seals of Civic Engagement to Orange County students. That number rose to 3,225 in the 2021-2022 school year.
This increase has caught the attention of two California chief justices and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, who co-sponsor a California Courts program created to recognize schools that deeply engage students in civic learning and highlight strategies for other campuses to follow.
“We are so thrilled about the work OC high school districts are doing to build capacity around civic learning,” said Dr. Virginia Reischl, humanities coordinator for the Orange County Department of Education. “The increased numbers show district efforts to develop civic learning projects and criteria for the State Seal of Civic Engagement.”
She says that students’ engagement and academic outcomes improve when educators encourage them to use their voice, understand their identity and find ways to better their communities.
We sat down with Reischl and OCDE’s History and Social Science Manager Dr. Marika Manos to discuss a few of the ways they are supporting educators in preparing students to become civically engaged with their communities.
K-8 Civic Pathways
Civic education, as Manos and Reischl believe, plays an important role in students’ lives.
“It introduces students to the foundational concept of rights and responsibilities within a community,” said Reischl. “This early introduction gives them a basic understanding of democratic principles, the rule of law, and individual liberties. Also, these early lessons in civic education can foster a sense of responsibility, empathy and engagement, equipping them with the tools they need to be proactive, informed and responsible citizens in the future.”
In 2021, Manos and San Diego County Office of Education History-Social Science Coordinator Matthew Hayes collaborated with the California Global Education Project, the California Geographic Alliance and other educator to create the K-8 Civic Pathways.
With the goal of encouraging elementary and middle school educators to construct opportunities for students to lead the development of civic skills and dispositions, the pathways gives students the opportunity to earn Civic Learning Pathway Certificates from their respective county office of education.
“Civics is aligned to rigorous and supportive instruction across the content areas,” said Manos. “By engaging students in civic action projects we help students become better humans.”
Building the next generation of leaders
The Centralia Elementary School District has gained statewide attention for supporting and inspiring students to be civically engaged.
Three students representing the district’s Los Coyotes Elementary School presented one of the campus’ service projects at OCDE’s OC Civic Learning Celebration on April 27.
Together, sixth-grade students Chenumi Mapatunage, Lucas Lee and Sydney Nuzzo from the school’s LEAD club spoke before dignitaries, state and local government representatives and county educational leaders about Operation Donation. The campus-wide initiative encouraged the entire student body to donate food and unused clothing to assist residents of a local homeless shelter.
This was just one of many projects that Los Coyotes students and staff led during the school year. The Centralia school also supported students as they met with local government leaders, learned about the election and voting process, advocated for mental health awareness and celebrated Red Ribbon Week in the school year.
Los Coyotes received honorable mention from California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and State Superintendent Thurmond in May, when the state leaders announced the 2023 Civic Learning Awards. The campus was also recognized as a 2023 California Distinguished School in January.
“We wanted to build leaders,” said Principal Dr. Vicki Wong. “We have a great group of students who have grit and an academic mindset. They’re going to be the next generation of leaders.”
For more information about how OCDE is supporting civic learning, visit https://ocde.us/EducationalServices/CurriculumInstructionandAcademicEnrichment/History/Pages/Civic_Learning.aspx.