Civics, Service and Leadership (CSL)
Abstract
Abstract – Approved for Public Release The National Defense Education Program (NDEP) is spearheading new concepts for civic education – ones directly aligned with iCivics’ own vision. Civics learning must be all-inclusive and help sustain our modern constitutional democracy: a knowledge of our history and government structures; of critical thinking and media literacy skills; and a call to active civic participation, including modeling volunteerism and public service careers. iCivics is a scaled civics education non-profit. iCivics creates educational video games and classroom resources that teach young Americans how our political systems work. The curriculum is innovative, high-quality, non-partisan – and made for teachers. iCivics brings civics to life and helps prepare students for a diverse and changing United States. The proposed Civics, Service and Leadership (CSL) program developed for NDEP will expand a large suite of iCivics resources: represented in over 250 existing learning resources, combining over $10M of investments by a wide range of funders. These resources are tested and proven; they will benefit DoDEA and JROTC students, nationwide, through a new innovative program designed precisely for them. The proposed CSL effort involves: 1. Curriculum Expansion: iCivics will create a large volume of new resources to complement existing ones, including: a new elementary curriculum for grade bands K-2 and 3-5; development of new middle and high school resources for grades 6-11, and refinement of existing resources; creation of a special 12th grade intensive service program with capstone projects; alignment of all iCivics resources to DoDEA College and Career Ready Standards. 2. Professional Development: iCivics will deliver a comprehensive and blended (in-person and virtual) program of professional development designed specifically for NDEP, modeled on an existing and tested iCivics program. 3. Technology Expansion: iCivics will develop a civics technology portal for DoDEA schools and JROTC programs, enhancing an existing model of state-level portals that iCivics has already created; 4. Military Classroom Volunteerism and Service Expansion: iCivics will produce a high-touch volunteer manual and video for military service members. Proposed public benefit The iCivics CSL created for the NDEP Enhanced Civics education pilot program is an opportunity to instill civic knowledge, skills, and participation in those students attending DoDEA schools and JROTC programs – the future leaders of the United States. Students who benefit from high-quality civic learning opportunities are more likely to: vote, discuss and pay attention to current affairs, work on community issues, be socially responsible, complete college and develop employable skills such as news media literacy, evidence-based reasoning, and argumentative writing. The anticipated public benefit of the CSL program would result from the young people who experienced it: they will demonstrate leadership through civility, critical thinking, media literacy, civic knowledge, service and civic participation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 10, 2021
- Source ID
- HQ00342110006
Entities
People
- Emma Humphries
Organizations
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Washington Headquarters Services
- iCivics