Date: 03/20/2013

Final
ECS Presentation - Civics

COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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07:49 AM -- ECS Presentation - Civics

Representative Hamner, Chair of the House Education Committee, called the meeting to order. She did not take roll. Representative Hamner invited Molly Ryan, Associate Policy Analyst, Education Commission of the States (ECS), to the table to make a presentation on civics education. Ms. Ryan came to the table and began her presentation by providing background information on ECS, and stated that the focus of ECS is on the P-20 continuum of education. She provided a packet to the members of the committee (Attachments A through D). She discussed the meaning of the term civics education and stated that it includes learning about citizenship, government, law, and current events. She stated that since the 1960's, there has been a decline in civics education and that students today normally take only one civics course, whereas previously, students would take three courses in civics. She discussed the reasons why civics education has been on the decline, and the efforts being undertaken to create a resurgence in the subject. She stated that research shows that high quality civic learning increases student engagement.

13JtEd0320AttachA.pdf13JtEd0320AttachA.pdf 13JtEd0320AttachB.pdf13JtEd0320AttachB.pdf

13JtEd0320AttachC.pdf13JtEd0320AttachC.pdf 13JtEd0320AttachD.pdf13JtEd0320AttachD.pdf

She discussed the six keys to providing high quality civics education, including: classroom instruction on topics of interest to students; discussion of current events and controversial issues; service learning that utilizes community service tied to the curriculum; extracurricular activities; school governance that involves students in mock legislatures, mock trials, and debate; and simulations of the democratic process that provide students with the opportunity to work with people who do not share their point of view. She stated that research shows that civics learning is not flat, but rather, active learning. She stated that the six proven practices are to be used in conjunction with each other.


08:05 AM

Representative Young asked about funding cuts for certain civics education programs such as We the People. Ms. Ryan responded that funding has been cut at the federal level and that these programs will most likely not receive federal funding in the future. Representative Wilson asked about the six proven practices and the research showing them to be effective. Ms. Ryan referred to Attachment D. Representative Wilson asked if the six proven methods have had an impact on test scores. Ms. Ryan said that test scores have not been specifically studied in relation to civics education, but that the methods have shown a positive impact on student engagement.