State Seal of Civic Engagement

Be engaged in academic work in a productive way.

• Earn a minimum 2.0 in weighted total GPA or has met goals established in IEP.
• Be on track to graduate to earn either a diploma or a Certificate of Completion.

Note: If students have experienced undue hardship in their high school career, then the GPA requirement could be waived, provided the student has shown academic improvement over time. The student may complete an undue hardship waiver.

Demonstrate a competent understanding of U.S. and California constitutions; functions and governance of local governments; tribal government structures and organizations; the role of the citizen in a constitutional democracy; and democratic principles, concepts, and processes.

• Earn a C or better in World History, U.S. History, and American Government equivalent courses.

Participate in one or more informed civic engagement project(s) that address real-world problems and require students to identify and inquire into civic needs or problems, consider varied responses, take action, and reflect on efforts.

• Choose and define problems in your communities, investigate root causes and possible solutions, develop and implement plans to address those problems, and reflect on your actions to help develop your identity as a citizen with rights and responsibilities.
• Your informed action should be significant as evidenced by the duration, depth, and/or impact of their engagement in the school and/or community, and may be undertaken individually, with classmates, or in partnership with community members and organizations.

Note that volunteering may be considered an act of civic engagement; however, volunteering alone does not constitute a project to address a real-world problem.

Demonstrate civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions through self-reflection.

• Engage in self-Reflection to address the following questions about yourself:
  • What did you learn and how did you personally grow through the process and completion of your civic engagement activity
  • How might the things you learned change or impact your future civic actions?
  • How did you engage with individuals, groups, and/or organizations to advance a common good (for your community and/or society as a whole) or a democratic ideal?
  • What knowledge, civic skills and competencies did you develop and gain because of your activity?
  • To what extent did your efforts meet your desired impact? What might you have done differently or additionally to create a deeper or more lasting change?
• Self-reflection may be exhibited in a variety of formats and may include the project’s impact on your learning and growth in civic skills. This may include working with others, the interdisciplinary skills applied, the effectiveness of the action taken for the community you endeavored to serve, and ideas for further or future work. Some examples include:
  •  A capstone project or portfolio with self-reflection on project activities, including successes and challenges;
  •  A public presentation regarding information on roadblocks, or issues that happened within the civic engagement activity;
  •  A public presentation such as (but not limited to) a video, slide show, speech, meeting with a policy maker;
  •  A written essay explaining why an activity was chosen; what activities were undertaken; what was learned; what civic skills, competencies, and knowledge were gained; how the efforts impacted the community; and how the activity may inspire future civic engagement activities for the student or others.

Note: Students may use this template to submit their reflection or can creatively choose another way to present reflection. All questions must be explicitly addressed. Reflection in Criteria 3 is a reflection of the work done on the Civic Engagement Activity/Plan. Criteria 4 is a reflection of self.

Exhibit character traits that reflect civic-mindedness and a commitment to positively impact the classroom, school, community, and/or society.

• A letter of recommendation or endorsement from one of the following people: educator, mentor, co-worker/supervisor, student leader, or a civic partner or leader that can speak to your civic mindedness.

Note: You may submit one or more recommendations. Recommenders may choose the format of their recommendation.