News from the Center for Civic Education
Register for Our Annual Civics Summit, We the People National Finals Begins April 22, Mara Tolas Joins the Center, New 60-Second Civics Series on Democratic Norms, and More in This Month's Newsletter.
Register Today for Our Annual Civics Summit!
You are invited to join the Center for Civic Education and leaders from other national civics organizations for "We the People: An Annual Leadership Summit on Civic Education," a conversation on the state of civic education today on Friday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Led by Center President Christopher R. Riano, participants will include David Bobb, President, Bill of Rights Institute; Amanda Susskind, President, Constitutional Rights Foundation; Elizabeth Clay Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Generation Citizen; Louise Dubé, Executive Director, iCivics; Dimitry Anselme, Executive Program Director for Professional Learning & Support, Facing History and Ourselves; and Jill Bass, Chief Education Officer, Mikva Challenge. This event will kick off the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution National Finals.
We the People: The Citizen and Constitution National Finals Happening in April
The We the People: The Citizen and Constitution National Finals are taking place next month from April 22 to 26! The national academic competition gives students an opportunity to display the civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to effectively participate in our constitutional democratic republic through simulated congressional hearings. Approximately 1,000 students from 48 classes will participate in 648 half-hour virtual hearings during the National Finals. The National Invitational will be held April 29-May 2. We welcome all the participants and wish them the best of luck.
Introducing Mara Tolas
We are thrilled to welcome Mara Tolas to the Center for Civic Education's team as the Lillian B. and Martin J. Jarvis Director of Development. Mara is an experienced fundraiser and joins us after a lengthy career at Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, where she secured the most funds raised in the organization's history. Tolas began her position at the Center on March 1. The position was created by a generous donation from philanthropist Devra Jarvis, Ph.D., who presented the gift to the Center in memory of her parents, Lillian B. and Martin J. Jarvis.
Listen to New 60-Second Civics Episodes on Democratic Norms Featuring Dr. Meena Bose
In our most recent 60-Second Civics series, Democratic Norms: The Guardrails of Democracy, listeners can learn about five key democratic norms at the core of our system of government. Each episode contains a video, quiz, and script based on insight from Dr. Meena Bose, the Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies and Executive Dean for Public Policy and Public Service Programs at Hofstra University. Our special thanks to the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust and the Mara W. Breech Foundation for sponsoring this series.
This and many other 60-Second Civics episodes, like our Women's History Month series, make a great warmup activity for your classroom! Here is an easy and fun way to get your students started each morning:
- Select an episode each day for one week.
- Play the video for your class by projecting it on the board.
- Ask students to answer the Daily Civics question as a class.
- Debrief the activity by asking students why the correct answer is true.
Christopher Riano to Speak at Event about Landmark LGBTQ Cases
On May 25 at 6 p.m. ET, Center President Christopher R. Riano will give a presentation and speak on a panel for "From Stonewall to Windsor: New York's March to LGBTQ Rights" from the Historical Society of the New York Courts. The event will highlight landmark cases in the fight for LGBTQ rights in New York. The panelists will share their personal recollections, give insight into cases like People v. Onofre, Braschi v. Stahl, and Hernandez v. Robles and look at the future of LGBTQ rights in New York. This free event is offered both online and in person at the New York Bar Association.
Tools to Help Build Understanding of a Healthy Democracy
With the ongoing Russian assault on democracy in Ukraine, civic education's role in understanding global conflict and supporting healthy democracy is more important than ever. We must understand the complex role the U.S. and our Constitution play in international affairs. Educators can use this brief video, which discusses some critical aspects of Americans' participation in the international arena. The video is part of the We the People Open Course, a free professional development resource for teachers. Additionally, educators can help students practice good digital citizenship using tips in this infographic from the News Literacy Project to help stop the spread of misinformation and disinformation related to the war in Ukraine.
Quick Quiz! How did Elizabeth Freeman obtain her freedom from slavery?
A. She ran away to Massachusetts.
B. She escaped to Canada.
C. She challenged her enslavement in court.
D. She purchased her freedom from Colonel Ashley.
Read on to learn the answer!
New Initiative Provides Educators and Students Answers to Important Civil Rights Questions
The Civil Rights Civics Institute is an initiative of the American Bar Association that allows students of all ages to ask questions about civil rights and receive responses from lawyers. Members volunteered to provide either video or written responses to questions that include "What are my rights if I get pulled over?" and "Why are my freedom of speech rights limited and restricted on social media?" The responses are published on the CRCI webpage for both students and educators, who can use them as a resource in their classrooms.
New Social Studies Standards Report Covering All U.S. States Available
The Gilbert M. Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education at Texas State University recently released the "Social Studies Standards Report: A Comprehensive Overview of Every State, and the District of Columbia." This report provides social studies stakeholders a complete document that encompasses each state's educational plan for social studies, which can be used to help make effective and positive decisions on social studies curriculum and standards.
The report will be a living document found here that will be updated as states revise and publish new standards. Download the current PDF version here.
Quiz Answer!
C. She challenged her enslavement in court. (see episode 4559)
For more quizzes and learning opportunities, check out the 60-Second Civics podcast and daily civics quiz!
