The chairs of a joint task force established by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson have announced a schedule of public hearings and a timeline to produce recommendations on revamping civics curriculum in California schools.

“Our Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning has a year to perform its work,” said co-chair Justice Judith McConnell, Administrative Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District. “The Chief and the Superintendent have charged our committee with finding a way to elevate the importance of civic learning in California, and we plan to engage the public in this endeavor.” The task force met for the first time on July 2 to set out a timeline for activities. The first public hearing will occur September 25 in San Francisco.

“We have an aggressive timeline and a lot of ground to cover,” said co-chair Superintendent David Gordon of the Sacramento County Office of Education. “We’ll look at a lot of elements of K-12 curriculum, such as instructional practices, professional development for teachers, and partnerships with the community and businesses. Our goal is to help our students become more informed and engaged citizens. We can’t do this without the ideas and energy of school people—adults and youth—and leaders from the community.”

The broadly representative task force includes members of advocacy groups for parents, teachers, school administrators, school boards, labor, and business. The task force will conduct up to six regional meetings throughout the state and provide an opportunity to comment electronically. The task force’s report is due in summer 2014.

Contact:  Debbie Genzer: 415-865-8755

Contact:  SGreer [at] cde.ca.gov (Stacey Greer): 916-323-5818

California Department of Education

1430 N Street

Sacramento, CA  95814-5901

www.cde.ca.gove/eo/

# # #

Subject

Joint Committee set up by Chief Justice and State Superintendent of Public Instruction seeks changes to civics curriculum

In response to

The California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning was established by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. The President of the League of Women Voters of California serves on the task force.

Get involved!

Attend a Regional Hearing

• February 7th, 2014 from noon-4 in Downey, CA
• March 8th, 2014 from 11-12:30 in Los Angeles, CA

California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning Site

http://www.myboe.org/go/group/name/CivicLearningTaskforce

California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/CACivicLearning

League of Women Voters of California Yahoo Group

The League's task force member, President Jennifer Waggoner, serves on a sub-committee to create a blueprint to address curriculum, instruction, and resources. We'd like local League members involved throughout the process, including:

1. advising President Waggoner for participation in the Task Force sub-committee
2. providing testimony at regional meetings
3. encouraging community input to the Task Force

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lwvc-civic-ed/

Cooperating Organizations

California Department of Education, California Courts