Proposal for New Elective Class
at Berkeley Springs High School
(BSHS):
Civics Laboratory
From Merriam-Webster online dictionary, http://www.merriam-webster.com/:
v Civics:
a social science dealing with the rights and duties of citizens
v Laboratory:
a place providing opportunity for experimentation, observation, or practice in
a field of study
Rational:
1.
While nationwide voter turnout in
the 2008 election was higher than it has been in 40 years at 61.6%, the state
of West Virginia had the lowest voter turnout in the nation at 50.6% (“2008
Election Turnout Hit 40-Year High”, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/15/politics/main4670319.shtml). Without high levels of citizen participation,
democracy is at risk.
2.
The Partnership for 21st
Century Skills describes a 21st Century Learning Environment as one
that “Enables students to learn in relevant, real world 21st century contexts
(e.g., through project-based or other applied work)” and “Supports expanded
community and international involvement in learning, both face-to-face and
online”. (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=354&Itemid=120). Additionally, the Partnership lists civic
literacy as one of the 21st Century Themes that must be developed in
schools so that students are:
* Participating
effectively in civic life through knowing how to stay informed and
understanding governmental processes
* Exercising the
rights and obligations of citizenship at local, state, national and global
levels
* Understanding
the local and global implications of civic decisions
(http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=258&Itemid=120)
Further, the
Partnership lists the following as desired 21st Century Student
Outcomes:
* Creativity and
Innovation Skills
* Critical
Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
* Communication
and Collaboration Skills
* Information,
Media and Technology Skills
http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=120
3. The Civics Laboratory class addresses all
of the needs described in items 1 and
2 above.
Course
Description:
Students will explore, create and develop
real-world, hands-on solutions that contribute to the sustainability of
democracy.
1.
E-Government project: The Community Connect Foundation, with funding
from the Benedum Foundation, has provided Ms. Stotler with video and still
photography equipment for students to create content for a statewide web portal
designed to make local governments accessible to citizens. Students will work with local government
officials to obtain content that will help citizens understand and interact
with local government. In Morgan County,
government entities with which students would coordinate would include all
Morgan County elected officials, their offices and appointed boards, the Towns
of Bath and Paw Paw, the circuit court system, and the Morgan County Board of
Education.
2.
Community Board project: Currently,
the BSHS Student Council is creating the framework for a project to place
students on boards and committees within the community. An independent study credit will be awarded
to students who serve on boards for the duration of a school year and who meet
the requirements established to obtain credit.
3.
Students will generate publicity for
their projects with local media outlets to make sure the public is made aware
of the opportunities for civic engagement that will be offered. This will include writing articles for
newspapers, seeking coverage on the Hagerstown NBC-25 TV news program, and
speaking at meetings of community groups (Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club,
church affiliated groups, etc.) and at school assemblies.
4.
Students will document the class’
activities using journals, video, website, or whatever media the class elects
in order to show others what they have accomplished during the school year.
5.
Students will discuss and debate
issues of civic concern, based on class activities and current events,
employing techniques for discerning different points of view and drawing sound
conclusions based on the arguments and evidence presented.
Eligibility:
Students in the 10th, 11th,
or 12th grade would be eligible to participate in this class, based
on a recommendation from their previous Social Studies teacher.
Collaboration:
Ideally, the Civics Laboratory class would work
in collaboration with the New Media class, who would serve as the technical
experts while the Civics Lab class would serve as the content experts. Therefore, it would be extremely helpful for
these 2 classes to be scheduled during the same period of the day.
______
Prepared
by Kate Stotler at Berkeley Springs High School in participation in
the Morgan County’s E-Government Project.