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Background

The Civics for All Initiative was first presented to the Seattle School Board by a dozen Franklin High students in the spring of 2011. See above video.
We seek adoption from Superintendent Banda and the School Board this fall and hope to implement the proposal in the 2014-2015 school year.
The six-plank proposal is student-centered, teacher-friendly, and virtually turnkey for administrators.
As such, Civics for All offers a set of curricular structures and requirements designed to facilitate integration of civics lessons into almost any standing lesson in any discipline, but especially in the social studies.
The proposal is minimally prescriptive and gives teachers options for infusing civics into their current or new units.
Recent controversies in Seattle public schools (the MAPS test boycott and the federal investigation of racially disproportionate discipline numbers) highlight the need for much greater understanding of democratic processes and improved communication between all members of our school communities. A “civic culture of learning” can and would facilitate more effective discourse on issues like these for students and adults alike.
Citizenship Education Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (CEA). In late September of 2019, I ineludibly thought of and developed my brand new idea and argument for a CEA. I am currently seeking news/media publication for this concept as of October 2019.

OVERVIEW

The Civics for All Initiative

Common K-12 Curricular Structures, Frameworks, and Traditions:

Annual Mock Elections each November, K-12
One New K-12 Civics/Elections unit in each year's social studies classes; depending on teacher preference and student interest, units would be 3 - 10 class periods each autumn
Two K-12 Civics Frameworks Banners:
1. Essential Civics for All Questions – posted in every K-12 classroom
2. Political Spectrum – posted in all gr: 6-12 social studies classrooms
K-12 Media Literacy – especially related to electoral politics and current events
Civics Website – updated reg. with shared curriculum, elections lesson plan ideas, current events lessons, links, etc.
Community Engagement:
1. Voter Registration/Participation Drives – K-12 students, classes, and schools can compete to see who can register the most new voters in their communities and/or get already registered voters (including parents) to actually vote.
2. Parent/Guardian Engagement – students are given homework assignments to discuss the mock elections issues and races with their parents/guardians.
Interdisciplinary Civics (optional) – K-12 teachers in non-social studies disciplines are encouraged to relate their classwork to the mock elections (e.g. math classes could help students understand taxation formulas, science could help students understand environmental initiatives, etc.)
School Culture of Democracy (optional) – principals, teachers, and schools can make the mock election process a celebration of democracy and community engagement to whatever extent desired via ASB involvement, parent and community involvement (election officials), etc.
The Civics for All Initiative Budget:
1. One-time, foundational expenses - $ 280,000
2. Ongoing, annual expenses - $ 56,500

Civics for All in News

Raising a voter: Tips for talking to your kids about politics and the election

Posted on Seattle Child’s

Web Hutchins • December 7, 2018 • 0 Comments

Mock Elections at Ballard

Mock Elections at Ballard High School Engage Students in Civic Participation

Web Hutchins • November 9, 2018 • 0 Comments

Education Week: “Make Mock Elections Mandatory”

Voter turnout is in crisis; better civics training in school can help

Web Hutchins • November 9, 2017 • 0 Comments

Effort to boost our civics IQ is sorely needed

Students in Washington state get too little instruction on basic civics, from constitutional rights to how government functions.

Web Hutchins • May 6, 2016 • 0 Comments