Unit 3: Lesson 3.5 The Skills of Citizenry

Standard:                1. Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills and take action to solve problems and shape public policy.

Benchmark:         9.1.1.1.1: I can demonstrate skills that enable people to monitor and influence state, local and national affairs.

Essential Question:         What skills do people need to monitor and influence local, state and national affairs?

 - Walter Berns, Constitutional law professor, Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and professor emeritus at Georgetown University, image compliments of American Enterprise Institute.

A skill is a special ability to do something. Is monitoring local, state and national affairs special? Why does it require special abilities? If you really look at a list of special “skills” needed to monitor current affairs, most people are taught the skills in kindergarten. The skills needed require us to work with others, have civil conversations, articulate our ideas, negotiate differences and manage conflict. These skills seem easy, but most adults agree they are easily said or written than done. To truly fulfill our civic responsibility we must practice the skills needed on a regular basis. Failure to practice leads to disinformation, disengagement, disillusionment and ultimately gridlock.

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills produced a handbook titled Reimagining Citizenship for the 21st Century, the following is an excerpt from their work:

A Model for 21st Century Citizenship

The trends that are changing and expanding the nature of citizenship present both

significant challenges and tremendous opportunities for citizens who are prepared to

participate. We believe that 21st century citizenship readiness encompasses three distinct

dimensions and three research-based practices:

THREE DIMENSIONS OF 21ST CENTURY CITIZENSHIP

1. Civic literacy encompasses knowledge of government and the role of citizens—as well

as the motivation, disposition and skills for civic participation:

 • Understanding of government processes and the local and global implications of

civic issues

 • Knowing how to exercise the rights and obligations of citizenship at the local, state

and national levels

 • Staying informed

 • Participating effectively in civic life.

2. Global citizenship encompasses global competencies required to contribute in a varied society and make sense of significant, global issues:

 • Understanding other nations and cultures

 • Proficiency in language(s) other than English

 • Communication, collaboration, social and cross-cultural skills for cooperative

interactions in diverse groups and contexts

 • Disciplinary knowledge in subjects such as history, geography, politics, economics

and science

 • Interdisciplinary knowledge, such as environmental literacy; financial, economic,

business and entrepreneurial literacy; and health literacy

 • The ability to investigate the world, recognize perspectives, communicate ideas, take

creative action, and apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary expertise (Mansilla &

Jackson, 2011)

3. Digital citizenship encompasses the knowledge and skills to use technology

appropriately to navigate the digital world, manage the risks and take advantage of the

participatory opportunities it offers. A “holistic and positive approach” (Cable in the

Classroom, 2013) includes:

 • Understanding how to stay safe and secure online

 • Knowing how to find, evaluate, manage and create digital content (also known as

digital literacy, or information, media and technology skills)

 • Understanding how to participate intelligently and ethically as a responsible citizen

in online communities

 • Understanding the rights and responsibilities of a digital citizen

THREE PRACTICES OF 21ST CENTURY CITIZENS

Three research-based practices characterize civic involvement (see, e.g., Torney-Purta &

Vermeer, 2004; Torney-Purta et al., 2001):

• Understanding—the application of knowledge and skills to inform and guide

participation in civic life.

• Engagement—the motivation, disposition and willingness to exercise the rights of

citizenship and get involved in civic activities.

• Action—the ways in which citizens can participate and contribute positively to their

communities and the world—locally, nationally, internationally and digitally.

The three dimensions and three practices are integrally connected. People can apply

civic literacy, global citizenship and digital citizenship, and the practices of understanding,

engagement, and action, to a single civic issue or activity. It’s important to recognize and

value all of the elements of 21st century citizenship—and to prepare all students to learn

and practice them.