Supporting Readiness through Vital Civic Empowerment (SRVCE)
Abstract
Supporting Readiness through Vital Civic Empowerment (SRVCE), a program developed in response to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) National Defense Education Program (NDEP) Enhanced Civics objectives, is premised on the ethic of service. This pilot represents a unique effort by DoD to engage students from military-connected schools in robust civic inquiry. The SRVCE program will include a one-year sequence of five inquiry-based, standards-aligned civics modules for high school students; the design and delivery of professional learning materials to support teachers in implementing the curriculum; and the integration of career exploration, workforce experiences, and industry mentors to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world. Modules will: • Equip students with knowledge of the principles and system of government at all levels • Harness media literacy to evaluate information, discern bias, and communicate effectively • Connect students with professionals in the workforce, veterans, active-duty military, and other adults to learn from their stories of service • Empower students to explore and take action on issues they care about SRVCE provides robust, active, career-connected, and scalable civics experiences, while also integrating relevant civic context for students who have deep connections to the military and to the unique tensions and perspectives that come with service to country. The scientific and technical basis for SRVCE derives from three fields that are usually kept separate: civics education, media literacy education, and career and workforce exploration. Through SRVCE, students will increase their civic knowledge, such as understanding how government works in their own communities and beyond; enhance their civic skills, such as critical thinking, research and problem solving, and the ability to take action on community issues; and show growth in civic motivation, demonstrated by the likelihood of participating in elections, civic action, and/or careers in public service. Threats from misinformation and disinformation highlight the crucial role that media literacy must play in protecting our democracy. Students need media literacy tools that empower them to decide, based on credible evidence, how to interpret and make meaning of information from different sources and how to act on it. This pilot places students at the center and asks them to consider what justice, service, and responsibility mean to themselves, their families, their communities, and our country. Students will explore the civic dimensions of defining moments in our history when changes in culture, policy, or politics lead to conflict. This exploration will yield interdisciplinary learning experiences that tie in history, media analysis, and civic principles, as well as connections to technical and professional careers in public service, public safety, and military service. Civic engagement is foundational for a thriving democracy. Because many students participating in the pilot will come from homes of service, this program naturally builds on that perspective to help them develop civic identities of their own while solving problems relevant to their lives. As a flagship program for DoD NDEP Enhanced Civics, SRVCE will inspire young people to dive into challenges in their own communities, discover pathways to vital future-facing careers, and understand the importance of public service. To live up to our democratic ideals, young people need to be not just equipped, but intrinsically motivated, to engage as members of the community, public servants, and guardians of what we hold dear as a nation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 10, 2021
- Source ID
- HQ00342110013
Entities
People
- Jessica Juliuson
Organizations
- Education Development Center
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Washington Headquarters Services