What's New in Civic Education and Youth Civic Engagement Work .... (April 2003 Archive Section)

April 30, 2003 - test

• In the recent article "Citizen Lobbyists" for The Chronicle for Higher Education, Will Potter writes about lobbying campaigns at the grassroots level. As colleges face their biggest budget cuts in a decade, these lobbying campaigns are becoming more prevalent. Laws governing university lobbying vary from state to state, but nearly all colleges are prohibited from using state money to lobby the state. Some colleges say they are informing, not lobbying while others operate these programs through alumni associations, using private money so that they can lobby legally. To read more go to: http://www.ecs.org/html/offsite.asp?document=http://chronicle.com/free/v49/i33/33a02401.htm

  April 29, 2003

• Wendy Bay Lewis has written the article "Civil Litigants as Citizen Diplomats, for TheCivicMind where she indicates that "when the September 11 families filed a civil lawsuit intended to bankrupt the terrorists, lobbied Congress and the President to appoint an investigative commission, and vetoed Henry Kissinger as chair, they elevated the role of ordinary citizens from foreign policy observers to citizen diplomats." To read the entire article go to http://www.civicmind.com/citzdip.htm

• The New York Times Learning Network Lesson Plan, developed in partnership with The Bank Street College of Education in New York City, presents " Learning to Write News Commentary About Controversial Issues." In this one hour lesson plan, based on The New York Times article "Dilemma's Definition: The Left and Iraq" by David Carr, students will 1) Explore the dichotomy between the political "left" and the "right," 2) Learn how the war in Iraq has affected liberal commentators by reading and discussing the article, "Dilemma's Definition: The Left and Iraq," 3) In pairs, brainstorm and research controversial news topics; prepare for writing a commentary on a current topic by creating a framework of "talking points" on the issue, 4) Write a concise commentary that provides a clear exposition of the issue as well as a colorful statement of their opinion on the issue. For the complete lesson plan, as well as other information on the site see http://www.nytimes.com/learning/. To read the article, go to http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20030417thursday.html

  April 28, 2003

• Public Service Recognition Week on The National Mall will occur on May 2-5, 2003 and will kick off the nationwide celebration of Public Service Recognition Week, May 5-11. For four days, over 100 government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies will exhibit and celebrate the innovation and quality of work performed by public employees. Marching bands, jazz combos and barbershop quartets will entertain the crowds and kids can climb aboard an F-16, take home free buttons, coloring posters, maps and puzzles. And bigger "kids" can take home free posters from the National Endowment of the Arts, explore space technology with NASA, and find out about jobs in the Federal government. Other highlights include computer demonstrations, emergency vehicles, helicopters, free health screening tests, EPA hazardous waste response equipment, military helicopters and jets. Government workers will be on hand to answer questions about what they do and why they have chosen public service careers. The Mall Event is a great opportunity for organizations to exhibit to the American public the services they provide. For all who are interested contact the PER office and explore the possibilities of participation at http://www.theroundtable.org/mallevent.html

  April 25, 2003

• Recently, National Public Radio's (NPR) The Connection featured an hourlong discussion on the revision of the educational curriculum in Iraq. Civic education was the theme of the broadcast. To listen to the program go to: http://www.theconnection.org/shows/2003/04/20030422_a_main.asp.

• The Education Week article "U.S.-Led Effort Girds to Reinvent Iraqi Schools" by Mary Ann Zehr delves into U.S. firms and nonprofit organizations that have been tapped to remake the schools in postwar Iraq, indicating that they are beginning to navigate a labyrinth of logistical and cultural challenges. For more go to: http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15864a75002a153216161a14.

  April 23, 2003

• Twenty years ago this week, the National Commission on Excellence in Education issued a rallying cry for raising expectations and improving performance in American schools-and part of its message was addressed directly to students. For the 20th Anniversary of "A Nation at Risk," EDUCATION WEEK looks more closely at teenagers' views on what's wrong-and what's right-with the nation's public schools. For more information go to http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15864a75002a153216161a7

• Quantity of Coursework Rises Since 1983. Two decades after the publication of "A Nation at Risk," students are taking more academic courses than before. But research shows it's the level and quality of courses that count, and by that standard, significant gaps remain. Go to http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15864a75002a153216161a10

• 20 Years Later: Two Views. Perspectives on the impact and failings of "A Nation at Risk" by educator-authors John I. Goodlad and Theodore R. Sizer. For more go to
  http://www.you-click.net/GoNow/a15864a75002a153216161a8
  

  April 22, 2003

• The Virginia Citizens Institute (VCI) is inviting applications for two civic education and leadership programs this summer, the 5th annual College Leaders Program and the inaugural High School Leaders Program. The College Leaders Program was recognized last year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as one of the strongest and most innovative civic education programs in the nation. The programs feature a Virginia-focused, multidisciplinary curriculum with three main goals: to educate the future leaders of Virginia in their responsibilities as public citizens of the Commonwealth; to connect Virginia's future leaders to one another and to present leaders in a lasting civic network; and to strengthen the foundation of Virginia's democratic system of government by promoting civic engagement among its youth. The participants will engage in substantive debate about the public challenges facing the Commonwealth and interact with Virginia's current public, private and nonprofit sector leaders, including our congressional delegation and their staff in Washington D.C.

  The College Leaders Program will be held from June 14 - July 12 and offers concentrated study for rising juniors, rising seniors, and graduating seniors from Virginia colleges and universities, or for students attending out-of-state schools who have a strong interest in Virginia. The High School Leaders Program will be held from July 5 - July 12. Both will be held at the University of Richmond.

  To apply online go to the VCI Web site at http://www.virginiacitizenship.org. Admissions are rolling, with an application deadline of April 25. For further information please email info@virginiacitizenship.org
  

  April 21, 2003

• The International Conference on Civic Education Research has issued a call for papers. The conference will take place November 16-18, 2003 at the Hotel Inter-Continental in New Orleans Louisiana. This interdisciplinary conference will draw together researchers with a common interest in civic education. This research would include work on service-learning, moral education, character education, as well as policy research and work on the civic capacity and skills of citizens. It is inter-disciplinary and will include faculty from Education, Political Science, Sociology, Public Policy and Evaluation as well as practitioners. The conference is international because it is relevant to scholars from other countries and includes research from many different countries, not because the intent is to only study civic education in an international context. The proposal deadline is May 15. They are also inviting experienced scholars to serve as discussants.

  For more information on the conference, including hotel information, travel information, registration information, panel format information and to submit a proposal on-line, go to http://www.indiana.edu/~civiced/
  

  April 9, 2003

• The University College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS) at Tufts University is looking for Director with a commitment to the values of community and civil society. The Center's first Director will be a highly skilled enterprise builder who will enable UCCPS to move to sustainable excellence and high impact. S/he will work closely with the founding Dean of the College and staff and will provide primary executive and administrative leadership for UCCPS. S/he will execute the College's strategic and business plans and will have shared responsibility for external relations and marketing. The successful candidate will be a skilled navigator in complex environments with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, business acumen and entrepreneurial drive. Ideally, s/he will have solid grounding in nonprofit management and a powerful attraction and commitment to the purpose and values of UCCPS, experience in program development and evaluation, demonstrated success in building startup enterprises and attracting financial resources, and at least 5 years of relevant senior leadership experience. Tufts University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a diverse pool of candidates.
  For more information contact rgough@imsearch.com or go to http://www.imsearch.com/.
  

  April 8, 2003

• The New York Times article "Benefactor Wants Colleges to Deliver a Stronger Civics Lesson" by Karen Arenson, describes Project Pericles, a new program offered by Eugene Lang to build political and civic engagement among young people of America. Twenty-two years ago Lang promised to pay for every graduate of a Harlem elementary school. According to the article, "In subsequent years, he nurtured and supported the students - 61 in all - trying to groom them for college the way middle-class children are groomed, in houses filled with books and high expectations." Now he is doing it again, but this time on the college level. To read the entire article go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/07/education/07LANG.html

  You can also interact through an online discussion regarding the issue on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 at noon EST or read about it on the Chronicle of Higher Education at:
  http://chronicle.com/daily/2003/04/2003040702n.htm

• The University of Maryland has developed a list of ways that students, faculty and others can become involved in community service in response to the war. For more information go to: http://www.inform.umd.edu/csp/

  April 7, 2003

• Just a reminder, National Youth Service Day (NYSD), through Youth Service America with the National Youth Leadership Council, will occur on April 11-13, 2003. NYSD is the largest service event in the world, mobilizing millions of young Americans to identify and address the needs of their communities through service. National Youth Service Day is also an opportunity to recruit the next generation of volunteers and educate the public about the role of youth as community leaders. For more information go to http://www.ysa.org

• The Brookings Institution, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Island
  Press co-sponsor a panel discussion on the future of global governance and cooperative efforts of national governments, inter-governmental organizations, business, and civil society to address perils posed by terrorism, proliferation, and serious threats to human well-being. With Strobe Talbott moderator), Jessica Tuchman Mathews, Ann Florini, and James Steinberg. Tuesday, April 8, 9:30am-11:00am. For more information go to:
  http://www.brookings.edu/comm/events/20030408.htm
  

  April 3 , 2003

• In the recent article "Switching on the wired generation?" for BBC news online, Robert Andrews indicates that "The battleground for the hearts and minds of this increasingly wired generation should not necessarily be fought on our televisions, but instead on the interactive playground of the converged television/computer/mobile devices." A survey conducted by the Big Brother 3 website wanted to find out how the wired generation uses different media and if the web can increase voting among young people. Of the 19,000 youth who responded "the web was the first news source - ahead of television and newpapers" indicating that politicians may need to rethink strategies to reach youth. To read the entire article, go to
  http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2881023.stm
  

  April 2, 2003

• A recent Boston Globe article "A New Civics Lessons for Our Kids" by Vartan Gregorian and Rebecca W. Rimel states indicates that when the UN Security Council debated Iraq last month, representatives of France, Britain, and China made a point to say their countries are very old, evoking chuckles from the crowd who understood the joke. And it led Secretary of State Colin Powell to say that, yes, the United States is a relatively young country, but ''the oldest democracy that is assembled around this table.'' As we heard Powell's words, we wondered how many young Americans knew that our ''young'' country was ''old,'' and what democracy means for them today. The day before, The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement, or CIRCLE, and The Carnegie Corporation of New York convened a conference of policy makers and educators to discuss why young people are disengaged from democratic institutions and processes and what can be done about it."

  To read the entire story, go to http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/083/oped/A_new_civics_lesson_for_our_kids+.shtml
  

• Two Special Fulbright Program Grant Opportunities for 2004-2005 are now available:

  - The Fulbright - Queen's University of Belfast Fellowship in Governance, Public Policy and Social Research. The grantee will lecture at the graduate and doctoral levels and conduct research, design a short training course on public administration related to the needs of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, and develop links between U.S. universities and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Teach one or more modules of the MA program in European and Global Governance If the grant period is extended beyond three months, the grantee would be able to develop or complete independent projects consistent with the overall research agenda of the institute. Specializations include public policy and administration, governance, social research. Additional qualifications: Applicants should be leaders or potential leaders in the fields in which the work of the institute is concentrated. Institute of Governance, Public Policy and Social Research, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast. The grant period is for three to twelve months, beginning between September 2004 and April 2005.

  For more information go to http://www.governance.qub.ac.uk for information about the institute or http://www.qub.ac.uk for information about the university.

  - Fulbright - University of Ulster School of Policy Studies Fellowship: The grantee will lecture in comparative public administration, public management, and/or social policy at undergraduate and graduate levels, offer a seminar on research conducted during grant period, engage in continual professional development work with senior public sector officials on cross-border (Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland) short courses, and consult on curriculum development. Specializations include comparative public administration, public management, social policy. The grant is for three months, starting between September 2004 and April 2005. Additional qualifications: well-developed teaching and research networks within U.S. universities, track record of international research within one or more of the following teaching areas: comparative public administration, public management, and social policy. School of Policy Studies, University of Ulster.

  Additional information about these awards (and other awards in public administration) and an application form can be found on the CIES web site at http://www.cies.org/us_scholars/. Please note that all application materials must be received by August 1, 2003. Or contact, Daria Teutonico, Assistant Director, Europe/Eurasia, Fulbright Scholar Program, Council for International Exchange of Scholars, 3007 Tilden Street, NW Suite 5L, Washington, DC 20008-3009. Phone: 202-686-6245; Fax: 202-362-3442; dteutonico@iie.org
  

  April 1, 2003

• The Carnegie Corporation has released an online survey, The Youth Challenge Quiz: Participating In Democracy on their website, aimed at giving young people between the ages of 15 and 24 an opportunity to let their voices be heard. This informal, interactive poll has five key questions about youth interest in civic engagement and political participation. The survey keeps a running tally of answers, enabling respondents to see the results immediately.

  For more information go to http://www.carnegie.org/sub/pubs/youthsurvey.html
  

• The Dirksen Congressional Center invites applications for the Robert H. Michel Civic Education Grants totaling $35,000 in the two selection rounds, October 2002 and May 2003, to help teachers, curriculum developers, and others improve the quality of civics instruction, with priority on the role of Congress in our federal government. Areas of interest include designing lesson plans, creating student activities, and applying instructional technology in the classroom.

  Teachers (4th through 12th grades), community college faculty, and college and university faculty are eligible as are teacher-led student teams and individuals who develop curriculum. Priority will be given to the following disciplines: history, government, social studies, political science, and education.

  Institutions and organizations are eligible under certain conditions. Inter-institutional consortia and other groups of individuals may apply, but grant funds may not be used to defray indirect costs or overhead expenses. The funds are intended solely to produce "deliverables" of use to classroom teachers.

  Final proposals must be e-mailed or postmarked by no later than May 1, 2003. Complete information about eligibility and application procedures, can be found at The Center's Web site:
  http://www.dirksencenter.org/grantmichelciviced.htm The Center does not provide an application form. You may find it helpful to review the sample grant proposal at http://www.dirksencenter.org/grantmichelcivicsample.htm Frank Mackaman is the program officer -- fmackaman@dirksencenter.org