The California State Seal of Civil Engagement honors the gifted high school students who have demonstrated excellence in civic responsibility and active involvement in their community. This prestigious gold seal recognises excellence in civic engagement and education, and is awarded on these students’ high school transcript.
To receive this seal, students must have an understanding of the California Constitution, the United States Constitution, the democratic system of government, and many other democratic principles. These may include policies such as liberty, freedom, rule of law, individual rights, human rights, property rights, civic duties, and the common good.
Eligible juniors and seniors in high school that have met the criteria and are in California public school, the juvenile justice system, or different school settings, are qualified to earn the seal. The U.S History classes at San Juan Hills High School participate in projects in order to get the seal, with only 37 students out of 120 receiving the seal last year.
“My students are starting their Civic Engagement projects this week, and are researching to solve community concerns with the hopes to earn the California State Seal of Civic Engagement on their diplomas,” said Sate Seal Civic Engagement Advisor, Jennifer Eckert Toler.
Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 24 in October 2017, officially establishing the SSCE (California State Seal of Civil Engagement). This bill made it possible for the California State Board of Education (SBE) to create the criteria of recognizing the students who meet the standards in civics education and participation.
Consequently, directors across the state started implementing programs to help students get the seal through the guidance of their appointed advisors. Civic programs are intended to be hands-on, and to expose students to community issues while improving them with thoughtful solutions.
“My project focuses on firearm restrictions. Right now, we’re conducting surveys and piecing all the research together. It’s taught a lot about how to get involved in serious issues,” said Phoebe Ropp (11).
Civic education programs address real-life issues, and give students the opportunity to be involved in civil discourse, public policymaking, and civic-based service learning. Students are required to be involved in one or more civic engagement projects that are related to real-world struggles.
Students conduct interviews and surveys to get their communities input. After completing their research, they reflect on what they’ve learned through essays and presentations. This teaches students how to be more involved in their communities and how they can help with real world problems.
The California State Seal of Civic Engagement is more than an academic honor for these students; it’s a call to action. This opportunity lets students demonstrate their focus of democratic values, community service, and leadership.
This seal is the beginning of a lifetime of civic involvement for many of these students as they progress through their academic and adulting lives with these learned skills.
