Serving America: Promising Practicesfor Building Literacy and Civic Learning

2 May 2016

Dear Colleagues,

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate welcome you to the inaugural Civics Literacy Conference, “Serving America: Promising Practices for Building Literacy and Civic Learning.” Senator Edward Kennedy dedicated his career to serving America. The Serve America Act that bears his name increased opportunities for national and community service for Americans of all ages. The Edward M. Kennedy Institute and this conference carry forward his spirit and challenge us to consider how we can make it a way of life for the next generation. The essential question guiding the presentations today is:

What can educators and the state do to support civics learning and engagement for all students?

The goals of the conference are to understand the role civic learning plays in maintaining our democracy, increase civic knowledge and engagement among K-12 students, and make the natural connections between this discipline and literacy. Presenters will include K-12 educators as well as representatives from state, education, and community organizations. The workshop sessions during the morning and afternoon are organized around the six strands identified as “promising practices” in the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools report, Guardian of Democracy: the Civic Mission of Schools:

1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, and democracy 2. Discussion of current events and controversial issues 3. Service learning 4. Extracurricular activities 5. School governance 6. Simulations of the democratic process

In addition to a workshop presentation by Representative Alice Peisch, Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, as well as workshops by many other leaders in civic education, we are fortunate to have Meira Levinson, professor of education at Harvard Graduate School of Education and author of Making Civics Count and No Citizen Left Behind, who will present current research on building civic learning and engagement.

We hope that you will take full advantage of the remarkable exhibits and programs that the Kennedy Institute has to offer. Take part in the interactive digital tour. Engage in a debate. Witness an historic debate. Above all, we hope that the experience today will renew your own commitment to serve our nation and to engage all of our students in that same spirit.

Sincerely,

Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D. Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education

3 AGENDA

8:00AM–8:45 AM Registration 8:45AM–9:00AM Welcome Jean MacCormack President, Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate Introduction and Overview of the Day Brooke Clenchy Senior Associate Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 9:00AM–9:45AM Opening Plenary Session Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D. Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 9:45AM–10:00AM Transition to Workshop Sessions 10:00AM–11:15AM Workshop Sessions A 11:15AM–11:30AM Transition to Senate Chamber 11:30AM-12:15PM Plenary Session Meira Levinson Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education 12:15PM–1:15PM Lunch 1:15PM-1:30PM Transition to Workshop Sessions 1:30PM–2:45PM Workshop Sessions B 2:45PM–3:00PM Transition to Senate Chamber 3:00PM-3:30PM Simulated “Great Senate Debate” Edward M. Kennedy Institute Staff

Following the conference, please fill out the evaluation at: bit.ly/CivicsConfEval Presentation materials are available at: bit.ly/CivicsConf_Materials In addition to the feedback on this conference, please give us your input on the essential question for the conference that will guide our continued work to support civic education: What can educators and the state do to support civics learning and engagement for all students? sgiz.mobi/s3/CivicsEd Follow the conference on Twitter: #civics16

4 WORKSHOPS | Session A Descriptions

SESSION 1-A Location: Studio C1

Agents of Change Presenters: Megan Tincher, Jimmy Odierna, Ken Brooke (Needham Public Schools) Strands: 2. Discussion of current events and controversial issues 3. Service learning The Greater Boston Project course at Needham High School engages students in civic learning and exploration through historical and modern issues. Students research and discuss current events in the area, present on these issues and engage in additional research to design and execute a plan of action to address a particular issue. This session will address how teachers can help students research, explore, and act on issues of civic engagement in their community through classroom instruction. This session will detail short and long-term practices and projects that both encourage students to look at issues with the goal of empowering them to become their own agents of change.

SESSION 2-A Location: Studio C2

Welcome, Senators! The EMK Institute SIM Experience Presenters: Sarah Yezzi, Nate Gundy, Ed O’Connell (Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 2. Discussion of current events and controversial issues 3. Service learning The EMK Institute engages students in the process, content, and language of lawmaking in the Senate Immersion Module (SIM). Students build understanding of complex issues as they build a law, and practice valuable critical thinking and collaboration skills. This session looks at pre-work curriculum comprehension; demonstrates the SIM sub-committee process and differentiation strategies; and discusses the synthesis and persuasive-writing opportunities in the SIM speech-writing process.

SESSION 3-A Location: Studio B1

Political, Not Partisan: How to Teach Controversial Issues Without Becoming the Center of Controversy Presenter: Meira Levinson (Harvard Graduate School of Education) Strands: 2. Discussion of current events and controversial issues Controversial public issues are engaging (almost by definition!) because they capture real and meaningful disagreements about how we should lead our collective lives. This session will offer multiple techniques for engaging students in researching and discussing controversial issues. We will also discuss how teachers can avoid becoming centers of controversy themselves.

SESSION 4-A Location: Studio B2

Teaching for Democracy – How Edu-gaming and Active Learning Can Create Opportunities to Teach Practical Democracy Lessons to All Students Presenters: Louise Dubé (iCivics), Tim Matthews (Newton Public Schools); Valerie McVey (Florida Joint Center for Citizenship, University of Central Florida) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 3. Service learning 6. Simulations of the democratic process Teaching about the election is challenging this year. Students are eager to learn, yet teachers need quality, non-partisan tools to teach about this core democratic process. iCivics’ free Win The White House game takes students behind the scenes of how our nation will elect the next president in 2016. The session will discuss how games for learning such as Win the White House can support literacy development through such activities as matching message to audience, developing close reading skills, matching arguments to core issues, and assessing the impact of messaging on audiences. 5 WORKSHOPS | Session A Descriptions (continued)

SESSION 5-A Location: Studio A1

Service-Learning – What Is It and Why Do it? Presenter: Kristen McKinnon (Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 3. Service learning Service-learning is a teaching and learning approach through which students learn and apply new academic knowledge and skills to understand and address community needs and problems. This engaging instructional methodology, which can be implemented across all content areas, has been shown to increase student engagement, achievement and civic participation. In this workshop, participants will gain a clear understanding of what service-learning is and how it differs from other community-oriented learning strategies and experiences. Participants will learn the three basic principles of quality service- learning and explore examples of successful service-learning projects.

SESSION 6-A Location: Studio A2

A Civic Leader’s Perspective on Civic Learning and Engagement Presenter: Representative Alice Peisch (Chair, Joint Committee on Education, MA House of Representatives) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 2. Discussion of current events and controversial issues 3. Service learning 4. Extracurricular ctivities 5. School governance 6. Simulations of the democratic process Representative Alice Peisch, who has represented the 14th Norfolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 2003 and serves as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, will present and engage in discussion with participants on what the state and educators can do to better promote civic engagement and learning for students. In addition to addressing this issue from a policy perspective, she will share the role of civic learning in shaping her path to become a leader in crafting and guiding key legislation on a range of education issues over many years.

SESSION 7-A Location: Senate Chamber/Gallery

Edward M. Kennedy Institute Programming Presenters: EMK Staff (Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 6. Simulations of the democratic process This session will include two major features of the EMK Institute. One feature is a guided tour of the Institute’s interactive exhibits where participants will preview the exhibit and digital tablet content students encounter as part of the Senator-in- Training tour. Another feature is a live floor debate in the Institute’s Senate Chamber. This simulated Senate session provides an introduction to a bill currently under consideration by the U.S. Senate. Future Senator: (designed for students from grades 3-5) Preview the Future Senator program – part of the school tour experience for students in grades 3-5. Students explore the question of whether the school day should be extended, with help from a video featuring Ruff Ruffman and Senator Kennedy. Meet the “expert witnesses” students interview as they explore the issue, and cast your vote in the Senate Chamber. Exhibits Tour: Take a guided tour of the Institute’s interactive exhibits and preview the exhibit and digital tablet content students encounter as part of the Senator-in-Training tour. Explore People of the Senate. Work together with others to try and pass the National Ice Cream Sundae Bill in How a Bill Becomes a Law. Visit the replica of Senator Kennedy’s D.C. office. Debate and negotiate current legislation

6 WORKSHOPS | Session B Descriptions

SESSION 1-B Location: Studio C1

Providing Civic Literacy for Our Students in the Twenty-First Century Presenters: Roger Desrosiers (Massachusetts Center for Civic Education); Laura Honeywood (Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 2. Discussion of current events and controversial issues 6. Simulations of the democratic process By stressing a civic culture in our schools, we encourage an understanding of our government and a participatory inclination for our students. Through interactive activities and a simulated congressional hearing, students solidify their learning and manifest their application and analysis of historical and contemporary issues. Simply put, students are empowered!

SESSION 2-B Location: Studio C2

Debating the News: Using Current Events as Evidence to Form Arguments About the World Presenters: Dr. Sarah Mayper, Marisa Suescun (Boston Debate League) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 2. Discussion of current events and controversial issues In this workshop, participants will experience how to use current events as a springboard for engaging students in a multi- faceted and evidence-based class debate that can sustain multiple arguments. Participants will engage in a full class debate using current events as evidence, see examples of other evidence based activities that use current events, and explore possible extension activities that can lead to student civic action and leadership. Participants will reflect on their experiences as learners and connect to how they might apply these strategies in their own classrooms and literacy instruction. SESSION 3-B Location: Studio B1 Taking Informed Action Presenter: Peter Levine (Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 2. Discussion of current events and controversial issues 3. Service learning In the C3 (College, Career, and Citizenship) framework, the culmination of all the stages of inquiry is “taking informed action.” What does that mean at various grade levels and in various social studies disciplines? What kinds of assignments count as taking informed action? What obstacles do teachers face? This session will be an open, moderated discussion that will draw heavily on the experiences and ideas of the participants and address connections to literacy instruction.

SESSION 4-B Location: Studio B2

High Quality Academic Work through Service Learning: Mobilizing Students to Research, Edit, Design and Publish Local Histories Presenters: Rich Cairn (Collaborative for Educational Services); Laurie Risler (Center School, Longmeadow Public Schools) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 3. Service Learning Well-planned service-learning projects have proven power to engage students of all abilities to gain and apply advanced academic, civic, and social skills. Local history projects offer a prime example for successful school-community partnerships. As students research, design, and publish local history projects (typically websites), they have multiple opportunities to read and analyze a wide variety of primary and secondary source materials, to listen to local historians, write and illustrate their

7 findings in multiple media, present proposals and drafts, and discuss with community leaders. See how service-learning can meet state and national social studies and literacy standards.

SESSION 5-B Location: Studio A1

Student Government: Giving Students a Real Voice in Decision Making Presenters: Donna Taylor (ESE-State Student Advisory Council); Kristen Almquist, Katherine Barnes, Allysa Riveria, Rucellie Jimnez, Katherine Cabral (Chelsea High School); James Madden (The Community Builders); Emily Levine (Horizons for Homeless Children) Strands: 3. Service Learning 5. School Governance Massachusetts can take pride in being one of a handful of states with full voting rights for a student on the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the only state where the student Board member is elected by his/her peers. The State Student Advisory Council (SSAC) has a distinguished history in representing secondary school students in the Commonwealth, and provides opportunities for students to learn and grow while demonstrating their individual leadership qualities. During this session, current and past SSAC members along with Chelsea High School student leaders will share their experiences, discussing what the impact of involvement in student government has meant to their life path as well as what schools can do now to give students a real voice in decision making.

SESSION 6-B Location: Studio A2

Action Civics: Developing the Next Generation of Civic Leaders Presenter: Arielle Jennings, Ed.M. (Generation Citizen) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 2. Discussion of current events and controversial issues 3. Service learning This interactive workshop will explore an experiential, service-learning approach to civic education called Action Civics where students learn civics by doing civics and use their voice to make real change in their communities. Facilitated by Generation Citizen, a nonprofit leader in Democracy Education, participants will learn strategies for incorporating Action Civics in their school or district in a way that aligns with literacy standards and enhances history, social studies or ELA curricula in order to reach all students.

SESSION 7-B Location: Senate Chamber/Gallery

Edward M. Kennedy Institute Programming Presenters: EMK Staff (Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate) Strands: 1. Instruction in government, history, economics, law, democracy 6. Simulations of the democratic process This session will include two major features of the EMK Institute. One feature is a guided tour of the Institute’s interactive exhibits where participants will preview the exhibit and digital tablet content students encounter as part of the Senator-in- Training tour. Another feature is a live floor debate in the Institute’s Senate Chamber. This simulated Senate session provides an introduction to a bill currently under consideration by the U.S. Senate. Today’s Vote: (designed for students from grades 5-12) Participate in a live floor debate in the Institute’s Senate Chamber. This simulated Senate session provides an introduction to a bill currently under consideration by the U.S. Senate. Weigh the pros and cons of the bill as presented by the Institute’s staff “Senators,” offer your own statement on the issue, and cast your vote on the Senate floor. Today’s Vote is part of the school tour experience for grades 5 -12. Exhibits Tour: Take a guided tour of the Institute’s interactive exhibits and preview the exhibit and digital tablet content students encounter as part of the Senator-in-Training tour. Explore People of the Senate. Work together with others to try and pass the National Ice Cream Sundae Bill in How a Bill Becomes a Law. Visit the replica of Senator Kennedy’s D.C. office. Debate and negotiate current legislation in Cloakroom Conversations.

8 CLOSING Location: Senate Chamber Great Senate Debates: League of Nations Presenters: EMK Staff (Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate)

We will conclude the day with Great Senate Debates: League of Nations a video and live performance presentation of the factious debate over global security and national sovereignty.

9 PRESENTERS

Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Horizons for Homeless Children Laura Honeywood Emily Levine Boston Debate league iCivics Dr. Sarah Mayper Louise Dubé Marisa Suescun Joint Committee on Education Center School, Longmeadow Public Schools Representative Alice Peisch Laurie Risler Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts Chelsea High School University Kristen Almquist Peter Levine Katherine Barnes Massachusetts Center for Civic Education Katherine Cabral Roger Desrosiers Rucellie Jimnez Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Allysa Rivera Kristen McKinnon Collaborative for Educational Services Massachusetts Department of Elementary Rich Cairn and Secondary Education—State Student Advisory Council Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate Nate Gundy Donna Taylor Ed O’Connell Needham Public Schools

Sarah Yezzi Ken Brooke

All EMK staff Jimmy Odierna Florida Joint Center for Citizenship Megan Tincher Valerie McVey Newton Public Schools Generation Citizen Tim Matthews Arielle Jennings, Ed.M. The Community Builders Harvard Graduate School of Education James Madden Meira Levinson

Following the conference, please fill out the evaluation at: http://bit.ly/CivicsConfEval

10 Presentation materials are available at: http://bit.ly/CivicsConf_Materials In addition to the feedback on this conference, please give us your input on the essential question for the conference that will guide our continued work to support civic education: What can educators and the state do to support civics learning and engagement for all students? http://sgiz.mobi/s3/CivicsEd Follow the conference on Twitter: #civics16