How can educators strengthen civil discourse in the classroom? What resources exist to help students spot fake news and demonstrate responsible citizenship?
OCDE and the Los Angeles County Office of Education are teaming up to help answer these questions. The two agencies will host a year-long civics institute aimed at equipping K-12 teachers with strategies to build civic knowledge and lead in-class conversations on important — and sometimes controversial — topics.
The California Civic Learning Institute for K-12 Educators will start July 24 through July 28, with another meeting set for Sept. 25 and a follow-up date sometime in the spring — along with a student showcase. The sessions, open to those who register by July 7, will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at LACOE’s administrative offices, located at 12830 Columbia Way in Downey.
After hosting a civic learning summit in May, OCDE and LACOE designed the institute to help teachers and other educational leaders engage students in dialogues on controversial subjects in a way that can lead to reasoned conclusions and responsible action. Participants will learn how to frame civic inquiries and conduct the type of analysis that distinguishes real reporting from fake news.
Featured speakers will include Paula McAvoy, program director for the Center for Ethics and Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Sarah McGrew, co-director of the Civic Online Reasoning Project at Stanford University.
The total cost is $525, which includes seven days of professional development along with materials, continental breakfasts, lunches and the opportunity to participate in the California Civic Learning Student Showcase.
To sign up by the July 7 deadline, or to get more information, visit the registration webpage.