CIVIC ENGAGEMENT DIPLOMA SEAL

After reading all the information below, interested SENIORS should fill out the form at the bottom of the page by September 30, 2024.

Seal Purpose:
“You will ever remember that all the end of study is to make you a good man and a useful citizen.” – John Adams
In a CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY, productive civic engagement requires knowledge of the history, principles, and foundations of our American democracy, and the ability to participate in civic and democratic processes. People demonstrate civic engagement when they address public problems individually and collaboratively and when they maintain, strengthen, and improve communities and societies. Civics is not only the study of how people participate in governing society, but also encompasses participation in classrooms, schools, neighborhoods, groups, organizations, and government institutions.”
- C3 Framework

Civics enables students to not only study how others participate but also to practice participating by taking informed action themselves. The Civic Engagement Seal honors students’ civic knowledge and activities. It is a recognition of merit for students who appreciate the importance of serving their community and taking informed action in our democracy.

Seal Description & Eligibility
To be eligible to apply, students must satisfy the 4 criteria below:
Student Eligibility Requirements
1. Fulfill the Social Studies requirements to earn a high school diploma. Passing grade in World History, US History, Economics, and Government. 
2. Take and pass the American Government Basic Skills Test, a subset of 56 questions taken from the USCIS Citizenship Test. Students may take the test until they receive 70% or higher. This test is administered on Illuminate by your Government Teacher and seniors should complete it by February 03, 2025. 
**Here is a link to the study materials for the USCIS test. 
Students may take the test until they receive a passing grade (70% or higher; at least 40 out of 56 questions correct).
3. Complete 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities during the student’s high school career (participation can be counted starting the summer prior to 9th grade).
Of the required service hours, a minimum of 15 hours must be obtained by participating in civic engagement activities. 
Activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Attend meetings of the City Council, County Commission, School Board
Attend town hall meetings
Serve as a page at the Capitol
Serve as a poll worker on Election Day
Volunteer on a voter registration drive or Get Out the Vote campaign

****EXEMPTION from this requirement is earned if a student enlists in the U.S. Military prior to graduation.
Deadline: Seniors must complete it by March 3, 2025.

Additional volunteer hours may be obtained through participation in charitable or service-based organizations or school-sponsored extracurricular activities, and can include:
Volunteer with Relay for Life, and/or Habitat for Humanity.
Students taking certain elective courses can earn 10 hours per class (up to a maximum of 30 hours). These courses include AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, Current Events, US & World Affairs, Psychology, Sociology, and World Geography.

Students can submit service hours earned through other clubs like Beta, NHS, and Student Council with verification of sponsor and no overlap of hours (Ex. An event counted for hours by more than one club can’t be counted twice)
Deadline: Seniors must complete it by March 03, 2025.
All students can count previous volunteer experiences and civic engagement participation accumulated from their 9th to 12th grade years to meet service hour eligibility requirements.
NOTE: Any student who enlists in the US Military prior to graduation will be deemed to have met Criterion 3.

4. Capstone Portfolio Presentation
Students must create and present a digital portfolio of the knowledge gained in social studies and/or civics/government related courses and activities listed above.
Deadline: Seniors must complete it by March 07, 2025.
Students must receive a “proficient” level or higher on each criterion of the presentation rubric.
They may present their portfolio until they reach “proficient”.

Timeline/Deadlines
September 30, 2024
Students declare/confirm intent to apply for seal (Fill out the Google form)

February 03, 2025 (SENIORS ONLY)
Take American Government Basic Skills Test (criterion 1)

March 03, 2025 (SENIORS ONLY)
Complete community service, extracurricular activities, or SS electives/pathways AND Civic Engagement Activities (15 Hours minimum) (criterion 3)

March 07, 2025 (SENIORS ONLY)
Present Capstone Portfolio (criterion 4)