What is the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness?

The New York State Seal of Civic Readiness (NYSSCR) is a formal recognition that a student has demonstrated the civic knowledge, skills, mindsets, and experiences necessary to become an actively engaged citizen. The Seal of Civic Readiness distinction on a high school transcript and diploma

• Shows the student’s understanding of and commitment to participatory government, civic responsibility, and civic values;

• Provides universities and colleges with a method to recognize and provide credit for attainment of higher level of understanding and skills in Social Studies;

• Demonstrates to universities, colleges, and future employers that students have earned recognition for their civic knowledge, skills, mindset, and experiences; and

• Recognizes the value of civic engagement and scholarship to school communities and society at large.

The Seal of Civic Readiness is an approved +1 Pathway to meet New York State diploma requirements. However, if a student has already passed five Regents Exams or has chosen a separate 4+1 Pathway, they may still earn the Seal of Civic Readiness as a stand-alone distinction on a NYS High School Diploma.

What are the Civic Readiness Domains

 Civic Knowledge: Demonstrate a fundamental and functional knowledge of government, law, history, geography, culture, economics, and current events. These may include inequities within our democratic system at the federal, state, and local level. Students should know how to apply this knowledge to different circumstances and settings.

Civic Mindsets: Demonstrate the mindset of a participant in a democratic society. A civic mindset is a commitment to democratic interpersonal and intrapersonal values, virtues, attitudes, and beliefs and informed actions that promote and facilitate meaningful participation in civic life. It is an understanding of self as part of and responsible to larger social groups.

 Civic Skills & Actions: Demonstrates a broad array of skills including but not limited to critical thinking, analytic, verbal, communication, media literacy skills. Students participate in a wide variety of civic activities leading to a range of civic actions. Students practice such actions outside the classroom and inside school on a regular basis.

Civic Experiences: Participate in developmentally appropriate civic experiences. Civic readiness should be developed in a variety of settings and ways—inside and outside of the classroom, across content areas, and for multiple purposes. Civic Readiness should be promoted by engaging students in relevant experiences that include students as active participants.

Criteria for Demonstrating Proficiency in Civic Knowledge

Students who receive the NYSED Seal of Civic Readiness must earn a total of six points, with at least two points from column #1 - Criteria for Demonstrating Proficiency in Civic Knowledge.

The options for this category include:

1a.  Social Studies courses required for graduation: 1 pt.

• Obtain course credit in Global History & Geography I

• Obtain course credit in Global History & Geography II

• Obtain course credit in United States History & Government

• Obtain course credit in Participation in Government & Economics

• Or the equivalent of these courses, as approved by the local public-school superintendent or his or her designee or by the chief administrative officer of a registered nonpublic high school

1b.  Social Studies Regents Exam – Mastery Level 1.5 pts.*

• Demonstrate mastery level on the Global History & Geography II Regents and/or United States History Regents

1c.   Social Studies Regents Exams - Proficiency Level 1 pt.*

• • Receive a passing score on the Global History & Geography II Regents and/or United States History Regents (apply safety net if eligible)

1d.  Advanced Social Studies Courses .50 pt.*

• Demonstrate proficiency in an advanced social studies course (e.g., Honors, Pre-AP, AP, IB or College/University level approved by the school district; including dual enrollment courses or others approved by the SCR Committee).

1e.   Research Project 1 pt.

• Demonstrate civic knowledge through a social studies research project. This project must be approved by the District’s Seal of Civic Readiness Committee.

* Students may receive these points more than once. Testing accommodations recommended in an individualized education program or section 504 Accommodations Plan must be provided. Students in schools with an alternate pathway for graduation approved by the Commissioner will be held to those schools' criteria.

Criteria for Demonstrating Civic Participation

Students who receive the NYSED Seal of Civic Readiness must earn a total of six points, with at least two points from column #2 - Criteria for Demonstrating Civic Participation. The options for this category include:

2a.  Civic Skills, Actions, and Mindsets 1.5 pts.**

• Complete a high school civic project that demonstrates civic knowledge, skills, actions, and mindsets, as established by the local Seal of Civic Readiness Committee (SCRC).

2b.  Civic Experiences Area I 1 pt.*

• Complete a service-learning project that includes a minimum of 25 hours of demonstrated service to the community and submit a reflective essay/presentation.

2c.   Civic Experiences Area II .50 pt.*

• Demonstrate proficiency in an elective course that promotes civic engagement (as defined by SCR committee) and submit a written application of knowledge essay/presentation.

2d.  Civic Experiences Area III .50 pt.*

• Participate in an extra-curricular program, or work-based learning experience that promotes civic engagement or civic action for a minimum of 40 hours. Write an application of knowledge essay/presentation. This may be accomplished over four years of high school.

2e.   Middle School Capstone Project 1 pt.

• Complete the middle school capstone project that includes the essential elements listed below:

○  Identify an issue (local, state, national, or global)

○  Apply civic knowledge, skills, actions, and mindsets to the issue

○  Present the overall project to the Middle School Capstone Committee.

2f.    High School Capstone Project 4 pts.

• Identify an issue (local, state, national, or global)

• Apply civic knowledge, skills, actions, and mindsets to the issue

• Engage in a civic experience based on the issue to influence positive change to the community (local, state, national, or global)

• Present overall project to the school’s Civic Readiness Committee

*Students may receive these points more than once. Testing accommodations recommended in an individualized education program or section 504 Accommodations Plan must be provided. Students in schools with an alternate pathway for graduation approved by the Commissioner will be held to those schools' criteria.

** Students may complete the high school civics project twice during their 9-12 school years, maxing out at three points.