To determine a student’s eligibility to earn a Kentucky Civic Seal, districts and schools may consider the following criteria and artifacts (i.e., demonstrations) for each of the four core elements:
Note: Although a single artifact may demonstrate several, or all, of the four core elements listed, earning the seal should be reflective of regular student practices, rather than a one-and-done project.
The purpose of these MODEL CRITERIA guidelines is to help districts and schools establish a Kentucky Civic Seal program or other programs to recognize students at their school’s commencement ceremonies, who demonstrate exceptional civic performance. As local boards of education (BOE) award diplomas; and/or recognize completion of elementary or middle school; and determine how to best recognize students, this information will provide guidance and best practices on what to consider when establishing a local Kentucky Civic Seal program.
A local BOE, school/district, or governing board may determine if and how students become eligible to earn a local Kentucky Civic Seal based on evidence that students show exceptional civic performance in an advanced level of demonstration of the Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies. The seal program is an opportunity for students to go above-and-beyond the KAS for Social Studies in demonstrating good citizenship according to four identified elements. Criteria for each element are determined at the BOE/school/district level, and approved by the Kentucky Secretary of State. In the event the school district does not have a program, a district official can apply directly to the advisory board for individual students.