States are Implementing the
C3 Social Studies Framework
Published in 2013, the C3 (College, Career, and Citizenship) Framework for the Social Studies is an important tool for improving k-12 civic education in the United States. Notable for its emphasis on “taking informed action,” the Framework is based in part on CIRCLE research, and our director Peter Levine chaired the C3’s civics writing committee.
Now, states across the country are utilizing the C3 Framework—adapting and customizing it to fit their particular needs. For example: Arkansas and Connecticut used the C3 to revise their social studies curricula. Illinois and Kentucky are explicitly drawing from the Framework as they write new social studies standards. New York is providing a C3 toolkit to aid implementation, and North Carolina has conducted C3 professional development.
Read more.
CIRCLE and Florida Partnership for Civic Learning Work on Reforms
In recent months, CIRCLE has been collaborating closely with the Florida Partnership for Civic Learning to implement the Sandra Day O’Connor Civics Education Act. The legislation requires a new civics course and a high-stakes test, and the Partnership is bringing together research, policy, and practice in order to most effectively enact and assess these reforms.
CIRCLE has contributed to these efforts in several ways. We designed a statistical model that would predict civics test scores in Florida schools; we created a survey to assess outcomes not captured in the end-of-course test; and we are testing “Discussion Maker,” an innovative digital tool to facilitate classroom debates and conversations of contested issues.
Read more.
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Lowering the Voting Age & Deeper Civic Education In the past month, CIRCLE director Peter Levine published two influential op-eds:
In “Why the Voting Age Should be 17” (Politico), he argues that if young people can vote while they still live at home and go to school, they may develop stronger, more lasting habits of electoral participation.
In “Federal citizenship test: What should a good citizen really know about America?” (Fox News), Levine argues against requiring high school students to pass the U.S. citizenship test, which may detract from efforts improve and deepen civic education so it goes beyond a simple exam.
CIRCLE in the News
Our Director Peter Levine recently discussed these topics on various media outlets, including:
– International Business Times: “San Francisco Lower Voting Age: Letting 16-Year-Olds Vote Could Set National Precedent, Increase Turnout“
-CBS Philly Radio: “I Just Want Kids To Vote Before They Turn 18 And Before They Leave School“
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