Additional Approved Activities

1. Classroom-Based Civic Engagement Project

Descriptor:
Students collaborate within their social studies classroom to identify a local, state, national, or global civic issue connected to their curriculum. They conduct research using credible sources, analyze multiple perspectives, and develop solutions grounded in evidence. Students demonstrate civic skills through structured activities such as deliberations, simulations, service-learning, or project-based inquiry. The project culminates in a tangible product—such as a policy proposal, informational campaign, or action plan—that is presented to peers, school leaders, or community stakeholders. The classroom-based model ensures that all students have equitable access to civic participation as part of their academic learning experience.

These are EXCEL Director- Approved and are entered by the EXCEL member on the EXCEL Platform under the Activity named "Benchmark VII: Student Engagement Project Classroom-Based."  Artifacts showing student work and civic participation that exhibit the criteria found above must include these sessions to qualify for approval. 

2. Extracurricular Civic Engagement Project

Descriptor:
Students extend their civic learning beyond the classroom by engaging in clubs, teams, organizations, or independent initiatives that address community needs and public issues. These projects emphasize student leadership, collaboration with peers and adults, and authentic participation in civic processes. Examples include organizing voter registration drives, participating in youth advisory councils, leading environmental initiatives, or volunteering with local nonprofits. Students must document their civic action, reflect on its impact, and share outcomes with a wider audience. The extracurricular model highlights student initiative and sustained commitment to civic life outside the regular instructional day.

These are EXCEL Director- Approved and are entered by the EXCEL member on the EXCEL Platform under the Activity named "Benchmark VII: Student Engagement Project Extracurricular."  Artifacts showing student work and civic participation that exhibit the criteria found above must include these sessions to qualify for approval. 

3. Public Relations Event

Descriptor:
Grant participants help increase awareness and visibility of the project by sharing grant activities, opportunities, accomplishments, or impact with audiences beyond participating educators. Public Relations Events may include presentations to school boards or community organizations, district or school communications, conference or faculty presentations, media coverage, social media or website features, community events, or other opportunities that publicly highlight the grant and its work. Activities should clearly identify or recognize the grant/project and demonstrate meaningful outreach to an external audience.

These are Director-approved and are entered by the grant participant on the Platform under the designated Public Relations activity. Documentation verifying the event and grant recognition must be included for the entry to qualify for approval. Acceptable artifacts may include agendas, programs, presentation materials, screenshots, photographs, published articles or posts, newsletters, website links, or other evidence of public outreach.