Enhanced Civic Demonstration Sites

The Civic Learning Initiative has selected two school districts — Sunnyside and Franklin Pierce — as the two Enhanced Civic Demonstration Sites authorized by the state legislature in 2018. The Civic Learning Initiative will work with these demonstration sites to connect the school districts to community organizations, host major civic learning events, and provide ongoing support and communication.

Sunnyside School District is 77% Latinx, 21% white and 2% other races, with a free and reduced lunch that is greater than 95%; and Franklin Pierce School District has a minority enrollment of 53% and a free and reduced lunch rate of 50%.

Through meetings with staff, students, and community groups, these districts are prioritizing their focus on civic learning based around the six proven practices of civic learning.

Examples of successful professional development and civic events have included:

• iCivicsWA webinar with State Supreme Court Justice Debra Stephens
• Constitution Day celebration with judge presentations
• Civic Mobilization Event on Temperance and Good Citizenship Day with Deputy Secretary of State to register and enroll students as voters and pledge to engage in their local community
• Jury duty for students in existing mock trials
• Judge/Teacher pairings for Street Law classes
• Opportunities to establish school courts to provide a student voice in school discipline
• Judicial Institute for Teachers
• Incorporation of civic content in senior projects and in service-learning programs, elementary through high school, and professional development for K-12 teachers in having difficult conversations, mock trials and other simulations
• Focus groups with teachers, students and community groups

In addition, professional development opportunities are being scheduled for elementary school teachers.

CLI is convening higher education experts, and community and cultural groups in each of the two demonstration districts. CLI is making the case and extending resources for local supporters to take on responsibility for youth civics education in their communities. CLI is also offering additional professional development to educators in both schools and after-school and summer programs.

CLI has secured funding to assist in project evaluation with a specific focus on equity in student access to civic learning and the quality of civic learning. Focus groups with students and teachers have been conducted and surveys of students are underway.