To wrap up the series on historical thinking and technology in American Government classrooms, I decided to feature model schools and districts (see link below) that are intentional about producing civically-minded students through curriculum, activism and leadership opportunities. The Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools (associated with the National Council for the Social Studies) highlights influential administrators, teachers and school districts that are contributing to the discipline of civic education, to create responsible American citizens that are passionate about maintaining the freedoms and rights of people all throughout the nation. The website for the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools also features research (entitled the “2003 Civic Mission of Schools” and “Guardian of Democracy: the Civic Mission of Schools”) that outline practical steps and methods for implementing curriculum that promotes civic responsibility and activism. The resources below focus on schools and districts that are currently implementing methods of education and research to practically promote civic education; as always, please feel free to tweet me at @ToriMcDonough22 or @SocialStudiesatCSU with your comments, questions and ideas!
Research

• Guardian of Democracy: the Civic Mission of Schools – current research produced by the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools in partnership with the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania; details the effectiveness of civic education in schools and provides practical ideas about its use
• 2003 Civic Mission of Schools – “Written and endorsed by more than 50 scholars and education practitioners, The 2003 Civic Mission of Schoolsreport summarizes the status of and need for civic learning in schools, kindergarten through 12th grade.”
• Research Page on Campaign of Civic Mission of Schools Website – provides a comprehensive list of research resources compiled by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE)

Model Schools

• Civic Learning Online: Model Schools and Districts – webpage on the Civic Mission for Schools website that provides information about schools in over 13 states that are implementing civic education

Lesson Plans

• Civic Learning Online: Lesson Plans and Programs – resources and ideas on how teachers can implement civic education in their classrooms and in schools as a whole

Professional Development

• Civic Learning Online: Professional Development – resources for guided discussions and simulations that educators can use to further their own knowledge and inspire engaged learning in their civics classrooms

Check back this week for posts in our new series about connecting historical thinking, technology and Economics education!
Works Cited:
Campaign for Civic Mission of Schools. http://www.civicmissionofschools.org/