Earning the State Seal of Civic Engagement is a significant accomplishment that demonstrates learning put into action for the benefit of our communities. Beyond the intrinsic rewards of growth, pride, purpose, and efficacy, students who earn the SSCE will...
Receive a gold seal from the state on their diploma upon graduation
Have the award noted on their official, final high school transcripts
Have the option to purchase an SSCE honor cord to be worn during the graduation ceremony
Be able to add the SSCE to their list of accomplishments on their college admission applications (if earned prior to senior year)
The SSCE can be completed during any of the annual submission cycles when the student is in grades 9 - 12 (high school). Students who submit prior to grade 11 will be conditionally approved until they pass the required U.S. History course generally taken in 11th grade (for Criterion 1).
Depending on the scope and timeline of the civic action project selected , completing the SSCE may take anywhere from several weeks to several months. The actual work of the SSCE can happen any time of the year, including weekends or summer, and submitted the following spring for review.
In order to claim the SSCE on college admission applications, it is recommended to complete/submit the project by the end of the junior year. Seniors can still earn the award for the graduation honors.
Yes. The civic action project selected by the student can include actions already taken or currently in-progress. Please be sure to read carefully the 5 Criteria for the SSCE and ensure that all standards are met, including description of the issue at-hand, purpose and planning undertaken, actions and advocacy completed, supporting documents, and reflections on impact.
Yes, in part. The SSCE civic action project (for Criterion 3) can be done with a team or group of peers (even from other ABCUSD schools!). However, each student will need to complete the written sections for all 5 SSCE Criteria components INDIVIDUALLY. Write-ups should be unique to each student and not copied or shared.
Please read carefully the requirements for each of the 5 SSCE Criteria, noting that for several of them, documentation beyond a student write-up/reflection is required. Depending upon the nature of the project, students should include evidence of their actions, advocacy, impact, and interactions with the community. This could come in the form of...
Photos or videos of events, meetings, presentations, or products that were part of the project
Agendas or minutes from official meetings attended or held
Letters and/or communications from/with community leaders and organizations describing the work done, or responding to the student related to the issue at-hand.
Evidence of inclusion or mobilization of other individuals for the project (if applicable), via photos, sign-in sheets, etc....
Student submissions for the SSCE will be reviewed by a committee at each school site. These committee may include school administrators, counselors, teachers, student leaders, and/or parents. Each submission will be scored by two reviewers according to the SSCE rubric. If there is a disagreement about a passing score, the committee chair will review it and make a final determination.
Each high school has 1-2 staff members who serve as points of contact regarding the SSCE. They can answer questions and provide support as students begin to plan their projects. Please visit this page to see your school contact.
In the winter and spring of each school year, there will be two submission deadlines for the SSCE:
Priority deadline (January): Responses will be given by the third week of February. Some projects may pass and earn the SSCE. Those that do not yet meet standard may be revised and resubmitted by the final deadline in March for reconsideration.
Final deadline (March): Responses will be given by the third week of April. All projects that pass in January or March will be logged, and seniors who have earned the SSCE will be readied for graduation honors. Projects that do not yet meet standard may be revised and resubmitted during the SSCE submission cycle the following school year.