Maine Commission to Study Scope and Quality of Citizenship Education

On June 23, 2003 Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed House Paper 333, establishing the Commission to Study the Scope and Quality of Citizenship Education. The Commission's duties are to examine the following:

1. The extent to which citizenship education, including service learning, is currently included in the visions, missions, values and practices of Maine school administrative districts and institutions of higher education;

2. The extent to which existing preservice and in-service professional development programs for educators address citizenship education;

3. National models for educational continua that cover preschool through college with the potential for preparing Maine students to be active and engaged citizens; and

4. Models for involving students and giving them a voice in the governance of our institutions and providing opportunities for student engagement and leadership.

The Commission must submit a report, including its findings and recommendations and suggested legislation, to the Legislature by December 3, 2003. The Commission is authorized to introduce a bill related to its report to the Legislature. For more information contact, Jeffery J. Miller at 303-299-3665; http://www.ecs.org