Vision And Leadership

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Vision And Leadership

School leaders have a clear commitment to the civic mission of the school, dedicate necessary resources to sustain this vision, and ensure all students have equitable access to civic learning by:

Engaging all stakeholders in developing and maintaining the vision of the school and developing a common understanding of how the school will reach its civic goals
Enabling teachers to exercise autonomy, responsibility, and creativity to introduce thought-provoking, controversial, and civic topics in the classroom
Allocating time, money, flexibility, and staffing that is reflective of the communities the school serves to ensure that civic learning is a valued, reliable, and core part of the curriculum across disciplines and grade levels
Leveraging policies, resources, and political capital at the district level to support teachers in integrating civic learning and creating equitable opportunities for students’ civic growth
Articulating how students will engage in civic learning and engagement across grade levels at the school and district level

Concept Map

Definition

School leaders have a clear commitment to the civic mission of the school, dedicate necessary resources to sustain this vision, and ensure all students have equitable access to civic learning

Evidence

Calendar and budgeting data for PD
Documents related to process for hiring staff
Results from surveys given to staff and students
Vertical articulation of civic learning

Examples

Giving support to teachers across the curriculum as they integrate civic learning opportunities in their classrooms
Ongoing conversations with staff about civic mission of school and progress on those goals
Creating community partnerships that advance the vision of the school
Including students on schoolwide and districtwide committees
Democracy School Team represents diverse areas of the school and promotes civic learning in all disciplines
Budget reflects a commitment to schoolwide civic learning
Using models that create a culture of positive conversation (IQEE: Interrupt, Question, Educate, Echo)

Connections to Principles of “Lived Civics”

Involving students in creating a mission statement, and monitoring progress on goals
Ensuring equitable civic learning opportunities for all students

Case Study

Shawnee High School is deeply rooted in civic learning—from a staff-initiated Veterans Wall Memorial with over 1000 names that are displayed, to its daily routines, thought-out processes, inclusive practices, and committed staff. This is a place where teachers are given the freedom to design their own curriculum where they incorporate controversial issues, simulations, and other proven practices in civic learning. The Social Science teacher uses mock elections and mock trials; the English teachers and science teacher find creative ways to infuse simulations; the art teacher encourages her students to create sketches that will later be turned into t-shirts to raise money and awareness for various causes, which the entire school will later study.

These teachers readily collaborate with each other and discuss controversial issues in their classes, encouraging critical thinking. The administration also trusts the social sciences to bring media into the classroom on a regular basis to help bring awareness to their ongoing service learning project about saving the levees that protect their district from the Mississippi River, and they welcome politicians from both sides of the aisle into the school so students can educate them on flooding issues. Additionally, the principal is an integral member of the Democracy School team and encourages her teachers to dream big when it comes to improving the school’s climate.