As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, NYSUT is calling on the state to reinvest in civics education and media literacy.
During Saturday’s general session, delegates watched a video about how educators across the state are promoting civic engagement and empowering students; this, in spite of the diminishing time and resources allocated for social studies instruction due to state test-driven prioritization of other subjects.
“America was always a diverse country right from the beginning and the framers acknowledged that,” said Pierson Bell, social studies teacher at Medina High School and member of the Medina Teachers Association and NYSUT’s Social Studies Subject Area Committee. “And so learning how you're going to interact with people who have different religious views, different life experiences, different ethnicities, and how you're going to work together to solve common problems is something that we really need to emphasize in school and give students opportunities to prepare for before we send them out into the world.”
NYSUT, in partnership with DemocracyReady NY is calling for an increased state investment of $22.5 million to ensure that students are democracy-ready upon graduation.
The proposed investment would support civic instruction in elementary grades, expand access to the Seal of Civic Readiness, support professional development for educators, add media and AI literacy to NYSED’s required instructional topics, and ensure that every school has a fully funded certified library media specialist.
To support civics education, NYSUT launched the $50,000 Classroom to Community Civic Readiness grant program, designed to help fund K-12 civics learning experiences, including field trips, projects, and special events.
Hudson Salley, a ninth-grader at White Plains High School addressed the assembly to share his learning experiences as he pursues the Seal of Civic Readiness.
“Many students go throughout school learning about the government in textbooks, and how past policies were formulated and implemented and how they impact society, but often, there's a little personal connection, and it can be hard to relate,” said Salley. “That is what inspired me to enroll in the Civics Readiness Program. I wanted to see how I could be a part of the process and not just learn about it.”
The Seal of Civic Readiness is a formal recognition that a student has attained a high level of proficiency in terms of civic knowledge, civic skills, civic mindset, and civic experiences, demonstrated through a combination of courses, special projects, Regents scores, and/or extracurriculars.
Piloted in 2021, the seal is now available in 500 high schools across the state, but NYSUT hopes to bring the seal to more districts.
Through the program at his high school, Salley had the opportunity to advocate for adequate drainage in his neighborhood and request a bikeshare program for his community.
He thanked the elected officials and community leaders he learned from during the program. “They teach us that our voices matter and that we have the ability to create change in our communities,” said Salley.
“Every student should have an opportunity like this,” he said. “Investing in civics education is investing in the future of our communities.”