California businesses throughout the state are invited to learn how they can help K-12 students prepare for success in college, career, civic life, and the 21st century workplace.
California’s implementation of the Common Core State Standards and other major education reforms presents opportunities for schools to better prepare all students to become actively engaged by embedding meaningful civic learning throughout the kindergarten through high school curriculum.
Starting in February, six counties in California (Alameda, Butte, Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego) will launch Civic Learning Partnerships led by local leaders from business, law and education. These groups will collaborate to promote high quality K-12 civic learning for all students, including working with their communities and local school districts to call for implementation of the recommendations of the California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning.
The California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning was established by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson to explore and elevate the status of civic learning and engagement in California. Co-Chaired by Administrative Presiding Justice Judith McConnell and Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David Gordon, the Task Force brought further definition to the skills, knowledge and dispositions students need to be informed and engaged democratic participants. Its report, Revitalizing K-12 Civic Learning in California: A Blueprint for Action, was unanimously approved by the task force members and released in August, 2014. The Power of Democracy Steering Committee is now overseeing its implementation throughout the state.
California Chamber of Commerce members interested in attending upcoming kick-off meetings in Butte on Thursday, February 5, or in Sacramento on Wednesday, February 18, or in learning more about the Civic Learning Partnerships, should contact Debbie Genzer, Deborah.Genzer@jud.ca.gov.
