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Unpacking the

Civic Readiness

Handbook and

Voices from the Field

Christy Radez, Lead Civic Readiness Facilitator, Associate, Office of Standards and Instruction, NYSED

christine.radez@nysed.gov

Greg Fredricks, Regional Coordinator for Social Studies and Blended Learning, PNW BOCES

gfredricks@pnwboces.org

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350+ schools are offering the Seal of Civic Readiness for the 2022-2023 school year representing:

36 of 37 BOCES
6 of 7 Big 5 Schools

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The Seal of Civic Readiness is individualized to

meet the needs of each school community

Civic Knowledge

Civic Participation

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Ballston Spa High School

Dr. Gianleo Duca, Interim Superintendent of Schools, Ballston Spa Central School District

Heather Mazurowski, Instruction Teacher Leader, 9-12 Social Studies, Ballston Spa High School

Daniel A. Hornick, High School Social Studies Teacher, Ballston Spa High School

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Our 2021-2022 Success

Last year, 187 students earned the Seal of Civic Readiness in our graduating senior class.

This was and is NOT a requirement for graduation, rather it shows how knowledgeable and involved our Ballston Spa students are.

We are trying to create a pathway for every student to try and earn the Seal and it could become a pathway to graduation for some students.

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Administrative Perspective

Dr. Gianleo Duca

High School Principal during Pilot Program 2021-2022
Current Interim Superintendent of Schools

Biggest Advice:

Utilize existing resources
Create a targeted plan with checkpoints to progress monitor
Clear communications with all stakeholders

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How did Ballston Spa achieve this success?

We had the infrastructure ALREADY in place

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Existing Infrastructure

Our Government classes were already in a participatory model where students:

Attend public meetings
Develop an understanding of their local communities
Synthesize their experiences into a High School Civics Project

Large number of Advanced Classes offered at Ballston Spa (Advanced Placement, College in the High School, and International Baccalaureate)

Expansive selection of electives rooted in civics

Genuine buy in and enthusiasm from the dedicated team of administrators, guidance counselors, and teachers

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Support from ALL PARTS of the District

Superintendent
High School Principal
High School Assistant Principals
Guidance Counselors
The High School and Middle School Instructional Teacher Leaders
The ENTIRE Social Studies Department
The Business Department
The District Chief Information Officer

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Our Local Seal Committee

The Ballston Spa Seal of Civic Readiness Committee includes:

A Building Level Administrator
The Social Studies Instructional Teacher Leaders
Two Social Studies Teachers
A locally elected Community Member

In our case, a member of the Ballston Spa School Board
NOTE: The inclusion of a elected community member is a model which Ballston Spa likes to highlight to other districts.

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Advising ALL Students

During junior year, students will receive a presentation during their US History class with follow through during junior conferences for planning senior schedules to help students plan a path to help them earn the Seal if they so choose.

Senior teachers help students complete the application and provide them with all necessary paperwork in addition to completing certain projects senior year as part of class.

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What was our MOST Common Pathway?

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For Civic Knowledge:

All students need a four year Social Studies sequence, which gets them one point.
To graduate you need to pass both Regents exams, this earns a student at least 2 points.
Some students will earn additional points for advanced classes.
All 12th grade classes complete some type of research project which gets a student an additional point.

THEREFORE MOST STUDENTS GET AT LEAST

FOUR POINTS IN CIVIC KNOWLEDGE

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For Civic Participation:

Most students completed a version of the “My Community and I” project as part of a 12th Grade Government class earning 1.5 points.

Next, we needed to find MOST students a ½ point to earn the Seal.

Some can earn it through a Service Learning Project
Some will earn it by completing a Social Studies elective or Business and Personal Law (#1 Pathway)
Some will earn it through Extra Curricular Participation (some through school, others in the community—such as volunteer fire fighting, 4-H, Scouts USA, etc.)
Others will earn it through Work Based Learning

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Highlighted Work

2a. High School Civics Project: Students can earn up to 1.5 points for completing a civics project in a Social Studies class.

The “My Community and I” project has been included in MOST 12th Grade Social Studies classes to help students earn these points.

Parts of the Project:

Attend a Public Meeting; Community Profile Project; Media Project

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Implementation Advice

Build a team
Modify your Participation in Government Program

Include or Modify Programing to create a High School Civics Project

Build your Social Studies Program

Advanced Classes
Electives

Develop a Team to oversee Student Success Tracking
BOCES Specific:

Regional Electives
Offer civic based classes to students who attend training programs at Regional BOCES Centers

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South Country School District

Beth Doyle, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction,

South Country School District

Jenna Restivo, Director of Guidance, South Country School District

Jaclyn O'Hagan, Director of Humanities, South Country School District

Andrew Budris, Lead Teacher for Social Studies, Bellport High School

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First Year Civic Seal Implementation

Approximately 95% of our June graduates earned the Seal of Civic Readiness!

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Demographics of South Country School District

Political Diversity of the South Country School District

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How did our students earn the points?

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Logistics- Tracking

Many of the Seal components can be tracked on a high school transcript
We linked the “Civic Capstone” projects in our SIS to senior social studies classes as class assessments
Students, Parents and School Counselors can easily view if the Capstone project was passed
School Counselors were able to calculate the 6 points (passing 4 years of social studies, at least 1 Regents exam, and the Capstone project) directly from the transcript
State Tracking: List given to data administrator to add to student status profile for state reporting

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The Capstone Project

What it looks like at South Country

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Students come to consensus on controversial issues.
Students research and analyze the root causes of their issue, and develop an action plan
Students put plans into action by meeting with community members
Students present their action plans at Civics Day
Students are better prepared and motivated for long term political engagement

Civic Capstone Projects Empower our students

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Sample capstone presentations

Project: Anti-litter Measures for Brookhaven Town

https://tinyurl.com/ky58ps2b

Project: Writing grants to improve youth sports and music participation

https://tinyurl.com/4m9fsj4j

Project: Removing School Identifiers from Parking Stickers

https://tinyurl.com/ydazu2pr

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Don’t talk about change. Lead it.

Generation Citizen

Bellport Middle School Civics Day

Thursday, May 19, 2022

12:21-2:20 pm

AND

Friday, May 20

8:53 am-10:50 am

Location: Bellport Middle School Library

*Zoom Link will be provided for guests who choose to attend virtually

Learn about the great work that 7th grade students are doing to make a positive impact on our school and community!

Note: two dates are offered to showcase the work of several student groups, you may attend one or both of these dates.

Kindly reply to Jackie O’Hagan

by May 12, 2022 @johagan@southcountry.org

www.GenerationCitizen.org

Schedule of Student Presentations

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Supporting Districts in Implementing the

Developing capacity within school committees to administer and oversee the Seal: Social Studies Teachers, School Counselors, Administrators, and other dedicated colleagues

Assisting districts in reviewing what experiences and structures already exist (and design new ones as appropriate)

Developing rubrics and tracking structures based on best practice

Offering targeted professional learning regionally and in-district

The Social Studies SCDN Group and BOCES continue to provide critical support in developing the structures, experiences, materials and resources which support the authentic implementation of the Seal.

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Unpacking the Seal of Civic Readiness Handbook

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1. Criteria for Advanced and Elective Courses -P80

Advanced courses must include civic knowledge
Electives must include civic knowledge and experiential learning

2. Sample Rubric for the High School Civics Project (1.5 Points)-P64

Analysis and use of sources
Evaluation of policies
Justification of course of action
Reflection
Presentation

3. Application of Knowledge, Reflection for Service Learning, Extra- Curricular and Work Based Learning -P71

Describe Experience
Explain how Civic knowledge was gained
Explain how Civic knowledge skills, action and mindset were impacted

Handbook Highlights

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Excerpt from NYSED’s SEL Benchmarks aligned to the

Seal of Civic Readiness

Ex. Take Action to Support the Well-Being of their school and community, including taking stands against bias and injustice (3C)
Grades K-2	Grades 6-8	Grades 11-12
Identify ways they can help their family and classroom community	Participate in civic experiences such as community service to address identified needs in their school and community, including those rooted in bias and injustice, and reflect on their efforts	Participate cooperatively with others to plan, implement and evaluate civic capstone project that addresses social injustice identified in the local or global community.

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Thank you!

Thoughts and Questions?