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Florida is leading the nation in public policy reform to advance civic education. In 2006, the Florida legislature
passed middle school reform legislation which included a mandate for every middle school student to have a minimum of one
semester of civics and government before advancing to high school. State standards are being developed to add rigor and relevance
to all subject areas. Civics and government standards and benchmarks are being drafted for every grade level with particular emphasis
in grades 5, 7, 11, and 12. Legislation will be introduced in 2008 to include civics and government on the state's comprehensive
assessment test as well as to mandate end of course exams at the high school level.
The Florida Law Related Education Association, Inc. has received support from the Center for Civic Education in developing a
multi-year plan to revitalize civic education and secure its status as a valued area of instruction. Working with the Florida Bar,
the League of Women Voters and Common Cause, FLREA has implemented a state-wide campaign which has generated public interest, support
and public policy initiatives to advance civic education in Florida. Working directly with school districts, FLREA is providing models
for meeting the new middle school mandate and is working feverishly to assist schools with teacher preparation, classroom materials,
and professional development.
This site will provide status reports of progress to date, models for implementing the new middle school
mandate, surveys, data and a host of resources to familiarize you with these efforts.
For additional information, contact Annette Boyd Pitts, Executive Director at ABPflreaED@aol.com
2007-2008 Campaign Goals
1. This year, a major priority will be to assist school districts in meeting the new Florida middle school civics
mandate. A working group will be established to work over the summer to develop a semester course, scope and
sequence, textbook recommendations, and an integration model. FLREA is seeking funds to undertake this important
function.
2. FLREA Executive Director Annette Boyd Pitts is serving as a framer and a writer on the FDOE Standards
Committee for Civics and Government. The committee has met twice and is developing standards and benchmarks for
every grade level.
3. Language is being drafted to include civics/government in the FCAT assessment statute.
4. FLREA will work directly with the Florida Supreme Court to implement the Justice Teaching initiative as part
of this year's civic education platform. This initiative partners the legal, judicial and educational
communities state-wide. A judge and/or lawyer will be partnered with every school in Florida as a
resource person. Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis and Annette Boyd Pitts are providing three hours of accredited
CLE and CJE training to all volunteers. To date over, 2900 volunteers have been recruited for the program.
5. FLREA is working with a researcher to design a study of middle school civics models to help with the
design of curriculum for middle school civics courses.
6. FLREA has been working with US Senator Bob Graham and former Congressman Lou Frey to develop recommendations
for long term reform in civic education in Florida. A group has assembled and developed a report consistent
in many ways with the congressional conference recommendations for Florida. Pitts has participated actively
in the meetings. Standards, FCAT, preservice education, and increasing the visibility of civic education
are top priorities.
American Government Curriculum Map
Download
Middle School Mandate Models for Implementation
Leon Materials
Course Outline
Unit 1 - Citizenship
Unit 2 - Foundations of American Democracy
Unit 3 - The US Constitution
Unit 4 - Amendments
Unit 5 - The Federal Government
Unit 6 - American Legal System
Unit 7 - State Government
Unit 8 - Local Government
Unit 9 - Voting Elections and Political Parties
Unit 10 - Public Issues, Media, and Influencing the Government
Unit 11 - Civic and Political Engagement
Unit 12 - Comparative Government
Unit 13 - The Economy and the Individual
Dade Materials
Palm Beach Materials
St. Lucie Materials
Volusia Materials (updated: 07/27/08)
Middle School Civics Textbooks Used by Florida Schools
-Civics Today by Glencoe
-Civics: Government and Economics in Action (Authors: Davis, Fernlund and Wolf) Published by Pearson/Prentice Hall.
-We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution (Center for Civic Education)
-Project Citizen (Center for Civic Education)
FLREA Powerpoint on Civic Education Programs and Policies
Download
FDOE Memo on the Middle School Civics Mandate
Download
2006 Florida Civic Education Campaign Report
Download
2006 NAEP Civics Report Card
Download
Florida Bar Survey
Download
Preparing a New Generation for Self Government:
An Article by Annette Boyd Pitts
Link
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The following is a list of helpful websites you may find useful.
Alliance for Representative Democracy
Link
Center for Civic Education
Link
CIRCLE (An excellent resource for civic research)
Link
National Center on Learning & Citizenship at Education Commission of the States
Link
Campaign for Civic Mission of Schools
Link
National Conference of State Legislatures
Link
Center on Congress
Link
National Conference on Citizenship
Link
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