After reading all of the information below, interested SENIORS should fill out the form at the bottom of the page by February 26, 2021
Seal Purpose
“You will ever remember that all the end of study is to make you a good man and a useful citizen.” – John Adams
IN A CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY, productive civic engagement requires knowledge of the history, principles, and foundations of our American democracy, and the ability to participate in civic and democratic processes. People demonstrate civic engagement when they address public problems individually and collaboratively and when they maintain, strengthen, and improve communities and societies. Civics is not only the study of how people participate in governing society, but also encompasses participation in classrooms, schools, neighborhoods, groups, organizations, and government institutions.”
- C3 Framework
Civics enables students to not only study how others participate but also to practice participating by taking informed action themselves. The Civic Engagement Seal honors students’ civic knowledge and activities. It is a recognition of merit for students who appreciate the importance of serving their community and taking informed action in our democracy
Seal Description & Eligibility
Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, high school seniors are eligible to apply for a civic engagement diploma seal to be affixed to their high school graduation diploma.
To be eligible to apply students must satisfy the 4 criteria below:
Student Eligibility Requirements
1. Fulfill the Social Studies requirements to earn a high school diploma. Passing grade in World History, US History, Economics, and Government.
2. Take and pass the American Government Basic Skills Test, a subset of 56 questions taken from the USCIS Citizenship Test. Students may take the test until they receive a 70% or higher. This test is administered on CTLS by your Government Teacher and seniors should complete it by March 15, 2021.
Timeline/Deadlines
February 26, 2021
Students declare/confirm intent to apply for seal (Speak to Coach Green in room 207)
March 15, 2021 (SENIORS ONLY)
Take American Government Basic Skills Test (criterion 1)
March 15, 2021 (SENIORS ONLY)
Complete community service, extracurricular activities, or SS electives/pathways AND Civic Engagement Activities (15 Hours minimum) (criterion 3)
March 15, 2021 (SENIORS ONLY)
Present Capstone Portfolio (criterion 4)
“You will ever remember that all the end of study is to make you a good man and a useful citizen.” – John Adams
IN A CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY, productive civic engagement requires knowledge of the history, principles, and foundations of our American democracy, and the ability to participate in civic and democratic processes. People demonstrate civic engagement when they address public problems individually and collaboratively and when they maintain, strengthen, and improve communities and societies. Civics is not only the study of how people participate in governing society, but also encompasses participation in classrooms, schools, neighborhoods, groups, organizations, and government institutions.”
- C3 Framework
Civics enables students to not only study how others participate but also to practice participating by taking informed action themselves. The Civic Engagement Seal honors students’ civic knowledge and activities. It is a recognition of merit for students who appreciate the importance of serving their community and taking informed action in our democracy
Seal Description & Eligibility
Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, high school seniors are eligible to apply for a civic engagement diploma seal to be affixed to their high school graduation diploma.
To be eligible to apply students must satisfy the 4 criteria below:
Student Eligibility Requirements
1. Fulfill the Social Studies requirements to earn a high school diploma. Passing grade in World History, US History, Economics, and Government.
2. Take and pass the American Government Basic Skills Test, a subset of 56 questions taken from the USCIS Citizenship Test. Students may take the test until they receive a 70% or higher. This test is administered on CTLS by your Government Teacher and seniors should complete it by March 15, 2021.
- The American Government Basic Skills Test is based on the USCIS Civics Test, the test immigrants take during naturalization process. Here is a link to the study materials for the USCIS test.
- Students may take the test until they receive a passing grade (70% or higher; at least 40 out of 56 questions correct).
- Of the required service hours, a minimum of 15 hours must be obtained participating in civic engagement activities.
- Activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Attend meetings of the City Council, County Commission, School Board
- Attend town hall meetings
- Serve as a page at the Capitol
- Serve as a poll worker on Election Day
- Volunteer on a voter registration drive or Get Out the Vote campaign
- EXEMPTION from this requirement is earned if a student enlists in the U.S. Military prior to graduation
- Deadline: Seniors must complete by March 15, 2021.
- Activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Additional volunteer hours may be obtained through participation in charitable or service based organizations or school sponsored extracurricular activities. and can include:
- Volunteer with Shop with a Greyhound, Relay for Life, and/or Habitat for Humanity.
- Students taking ROTC pathway courses can earn 10 hours per class (up to a maximum of 30 hours) for designated pathway courses.
- Students taking certain elective courses can earn 10 hours per class (up to a maximum of 30 hours). These courses include AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, Current Events, US & World Affairs, Psychology, Sociology, and World Geography.
- Students can submit service hours earned through other clubs like Beta, NHS, and Student Council with verification of sponsor and no overlap of hours (Ex. An event counted for hours by more than one club can’t be counted twice)
- Deadline: Seniors must complete by March 15, 2021.
- All students can count previous volunteer experiences and civic engagement participation accumulated from their 9th to 12th grade years to meet service hour eligibility requirements.
- NOTE: Any student who enlists in the US Military prior to graduation will be deemed to have met Criterion 3.
- Students must create and present a digital portfolio on the knowledge gained in social studies and/or civics/government related courses and activities listed above.
- Deadline: Seniors must complete by March 15, 2021.
- Students must receive a “proficient” level or higher on each criteria of the presentation rubric.
- They may present their portfolio until they reach the “proficient”.
Timeline/Deadlines
February 26, 2021
Students declare/confirm intent to apply for seal (Speak to Coach Green in room 207)
March 15, 2021 (SENIORS ONLY)
Take American Government Basic Skills Test (criterion 1)
March 15, 2021 (SENIORS ONLY)
Complete community service, extracurricular activities, or SS electives/pathways AND Civic Engagement Activities (15 Hours minimum) (criterion 3)
March 15, 2021 (SENIORS ONLY)
Present Capstone Portfolio (criterion 4)