4 Domains of Civic Readiness

Fundamental civic knowledge in grade level appropriate forms includes:

• The structure and functioning of government, law, and democracy at the federal, state, local, and school levels, and how to participate therein;    

• Civil and educational rights and responsibilities guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution of the State of New York, and federal, state and local statutes and regulations;  

• History, geography, economics, and current events within our country and in our global society;  

• The impact of individual and collective histories in shaping contemporary issues;   

• View and analyze history and current issues from multiple perspectives

• The importance of civic rights and responsibilities, such as voting, volunteering, serving on a jury, and the importance of ensuring a free press;

Critical intellectual and participatory civic skills students should develop and actions they should take in grade-level appropriate forms include the ability to:

• Demonstrate respect for the rights of others in discussions and classroom debates, and how to respectfully disagree with other viewpoints and provide evidence for a counterargument;

• Participate in activities that focus on a classroom, school, community, state or national issue or problem;

• Identify, describe and contrast the roles of the individual in opportunities for social and political participation in different societies;

• Work to influence those in positions of power to achieve extensions of freedom, social justice, and human rights;

• Fulfill social and political responsibilities associated with participation in a democratic society and the interdependent global community by developing awareness of and/or engaging in the political process;

• Analyze and evaluate news (news literacy), media, social media and other sources of information for accuracy, bias, reliability, and credibility.

• Engagement in working toward the public good

Examples of civic experiences in which students should be able to participate in grade-level appropriate ways include:    

• Completing a civic readiness capstone or, civic engagement project;

• Engaging in service-learning;   

• Engaging in civil discourse around controversial issues;  

• Engaging with news and digital tools, such as social media, responsibly;

• Participating in civic-centered co-curricular and extracurricular activities such as Model UN, Student Government, Debate Club, Moot Court, Student Journalism or Mock Trial;

• Participating in school governance;  

• Voting, volunteering and participating in community organizations and governmental systems, such as community boards, youth advisory councils, etc., to promote continuous improvement;

• Engaging with local officials and government institutions through activities such as providing public comment before a government agency, or meeting with public and elected officials.

Key civic mindsets students should develop in grade-level appropriate ways include:

• Valuing equity, inclusivity, diversity, and fairness;  

• Recognizing the need to plan for both current needs and the good of future generations;  

• Empathy, compassion, and respect for the views of people with other opinions and perspectives;

• Committing to balancing the common good with individual liberties;  

• Demonstrating a sense of self as an active participant in society, willing to contribute to solving local and/or national problems;

• Respecting fundamental democratic principles, such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press and the rule of law.  

Information Source: NYSED Wesbite- http://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/civic-readiness-initiative