Civics Education
Civic Participation and Engagement in Virginia
Questions for Consideration:
What examples can you find across the state and within your local communities of positive models of civic engagement that are designed to strengthen the common good?
In what ways are you continuing to strengthen and support your family, community, locality, and state for the common good?
Many teachers in Virginia are already engaging in proven practices to support high quality civic education as identified by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement below. It is hoped that the content provided in this module along with the videos and resources will help continue to support high quality civic education in Virginia.
School-Based Practices to Support High Quality Civic Education.
- Classroom Instruction: Schools should provide instruction in government, history, economics, law, and democracy.
- Discussion of Current Events and Controversial Issues: Schools should incorporate discussion of current local, national, and international issues and events into the classroom, particularly those that young people view as important to their lives.
- Service-Learning: Schools should design and implement programs that provide students with the opportunity to apply what they learn through performing community service that is linked to the formal curriculum and classroom instruction.
- Extracurricular Activities: Schools should offer opportunities for young people to get involved in their schools or communities outside of the classroom.
- School Governance: Schools should encourage student participation in school governance.
- Simulations of Democratic Processes: Schools should encourage students to participate in simulations of democratic processes and procedures.
Six Proven School-Based Practices to Support Civic Learning from
Guardian of Democracy: Successor Report to the Civic Mission of Schools
(http://www.civicyouth.org/guardian-of-democracy-successor-report-to-the-civic-mission-of-schools).
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References
(1927). Preface. University of Virginia Extension Series: The Virginia Institute of Citizenship and Government XI(12), 3-4.
Anderson, H. (1927). Popular government in Virginia. University of Virginia Extension Series: The Virginia Institute of Citizenship and Government XI(12), 50-76.
Bellamy, Richard. (2008). Citizenship: A very short introduction. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Bowman, A., & Kearney, R. (2000). State and local government: The essentials. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.
Levine, David, (2011). The capacity for civic engagement: Public and private worlds of the self. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
Rice, T., & Sumberg, A. (1997). Civic culture and government performance in American states. Publius: The Journal of Federalism, 27(1), 99-114.
Video Image Credits
Dr. Craig Brians – Video Image Credits
Image 1. Wilder Inauguration. Credit: The Library of Virginia.
Image 2. Wilder/McDonnell. Credit: Michaele White, official photographer for the Governor of Virginia.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/governorva/6326186377/in/set-72157627959716409/.
Image 3. Official portrait of Governor of Virginia. Credit: Office of the Governor of Virginia.
Image 4. Virginia State Capitol. Credit: Virginia House of Delegates.
Image 5. Virginia Beach Council meeting. Credit: Virginia Municipal League.
Image 6 Virginia Beach Council meeting. Credit: Virginia Municipal League.
Image 7. Voter Access. Credit: Cathy Cocke.
Image 8. General registrar voter registration building. Credit: Cathy Cocke.
Image 9. Voting machine and voter. Credit: Cathy Cocke.
Image 10. Voting machine and voter. Credit: Cathy Cocke.
Image 11. Virginia Beach Council meeting. Credit: Virginia Municipal League.
Image 12. Town Council meeting. Credit: Town of Blacksburg.