History
The Utah Coalition for Civic, Character, and Service Learning was organized after a delegation from Utah attended the First Congressional Conference on Civic Education in 2003. Delegations from each state met in Washington, D.C. to explore the critical role civic education can play in promoting civic engagement and the need for effective civic education programs in the nation’s schools K‑16.
The inaugural Congressional Conference on Civic Education succeeded in sparking a nationwide movement to focus attention on the importance of civic engagement and civic education in America. At the second and third conferences in 2004 and 2005, state delegates improved upon initial plans of action developed at the first conference and built further momentum to affect policy changes in their states. The fourth conference was held November 18‑20, 2006, and one more is planned for 2007.
Coalition Membership
Administrative Office of the Courts; American Dream Foundation; College of Education, University of Utah; First Amendment Center, Utah 3 Rs Project; Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah; League of Women Voters; Learning for Life; Boy Scouts of America; National Center for Community of Caring; The National Conference for Community and Justice of Utah; National Energy Foundation; Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Salt Lake Center for Engaging Community; United States District Court for the District of Utah; Utah Campus Compact; Utah Court of Appeals; Utah Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge; Utah Law‑Related Education Project; Utah League of Cities and Towns; Utah School Boards Association; Utah State Bar; Utah State Board of Education; Utah State Legislature; Utah's Legislators Back to School Program; Utah State Office of Education; Office of the State Superintendent of Schools; Utah Supreme Court
Legislation
2003 Congressional Conference on Civic Education delegates sponsored the Civic and Character Education in Schools bill which was passed by the Utah State Legislature and signed by the Governor. The bill provides legislative recognition that Civic and Character Education are fundamental elements of the public education system’s core mission and constitutional responsibility and should be taught in connection with regular school work.
2005 Congressional Conference delegates sponsored the Commission on Civic and Character Education bill which was passed by the Utah State Legislature and signed by the Governor. The bill creates a seven‑person Commission within the Lieutenant Governor’s office and calls for the Commission to receive a $50,000 appropriation each year for five years. The mission of the Commission is to provide leadership for the state’s commitment to civic and character education in the public schools, institutions of higher education, and the larger community; to make recommendations to school boards and administrators; and to promote coalitions and collaborative efforts that foster informed and civil public discourse and responsible citizenship.
Dialogues on Democracy Dinners
The First and Second Dialogues on Democracy in 2004 and 2005 were hosted by the Utah Coalition for Civic, Character, and Service Learning of which Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine M. Durham is the Chair. At the Third Dialogue on Democracy dinner, which was held November 14, 2006, at 7:00 p.m., state officials, legislators, judges, teachers, students, and civic education leaders from around the state gathered at the Rice-Eccles Stadium Scholarship Reception floor for an evening exploring civic, character and service learning in Utah. Student leaders from universities and colleges served as ambassadors for this event.
The evening included a dinner and program featuring national and local perspectives on important civic education and engagement issues. Dr. Larry Sabato facilitated the evening with a keynote address followed by a discussion with the audience about educating for democracy and our individual roles in furthering this work in Utah.
At the First Dialogue on Democracy dinner, former Congressman David Skaggs gave the keynote address followed by a panel discussion, which Chief Justice Christine M. Durham facilitated. Dr. Charles Haynes, from the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center, delivered the keynote address at the Second Dialogue on Democracy dinner, challenging Utah’s leaders and citizens to support civic learning and engagement in schools K‑16 and to step forward and bridge the religious divide. Chief Justice Durham then facilitated a dialogue among panelists in response to the challenge.
Both of the first two keynote addresses were excellent, but the feedback Coalition members received often requested more facilitation of dialogue among the participants. We felt that a speaker, who could facilitate an audience discussion or participation at each dinner table, would take the dialogue to a deeper level. This was accomplished in the third Dialogue on Democracy, and by having the participants engage in the dialogue, we created excitement and energy to be actively committed to civic learning and engagement in our respective arenas.
Dialogue on Democracy Student Training
Up to one hundred high school and college students from across the state gathered on Tuesday, November 14, from 1:00‑3:00 p.m. at the University of Utah Alumni House for the Dialogue on Democracy Student Training. Lunch was served from 1:00-1:30 p.m. after which Dr. Larry Sabato provided a student workshop focusing on the role of student participation in the democratic process.
Two different groups of students attended this dialogue. Utah Campus Compact and the Utah Law‑Related Education Project were the primary hosts for the student groups. Utah Campus Compact brought college and university student leadership from student government and civic engagement centers on campuses statewide. The Utah Law-Related Education Project brought students who have participated in their high school mock trial competition or the We the People–The Citizen and the Constitution program. Additional high school students were invited to attend by the Utah State Office of Education. The students who attended the workshop were also invited to be ambassadors for the evening dinner and program. We encouraged them to sit at different tables during the evening and assist in the facilitation process.
There was a reception from 6:30‑7:00 p.m., prior to the dinner and program, at which Coalition members had brochures and other information about their organization available.
Dialogue on Democracy Teacher Training
12 high school civic education teachers gathered at the Utah State Bar Law and Justice Center on November 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with a Continental breakfast and lunch provided. They interacted with Dr. Sabato on topics of current interest, including election reform, fairness in the media, political action committees, and accountable government. The effects of current issues on recent elections was discussed and suggestions and strategies were provided to effectively engage students in civic dialogue and community action.
Projects in 2007
2007 began with the hiring of an executive director to coordinate and carry out Coalition and Commission activities. A planning committee coordinated a June 2007 educator and pre-service educator workshop that focused on the three branches of government, with a glimpse behind the scenes of the executive, legislative and judicial branches at work. The workshop was highly successful and is expected to be an annual event. The Fourth Annual Dialogue on Democracy is set for October 30, 2007 at Rice Eccles Stadium with Lee Hamilton as the featured speaker, and will once again include a student and educator workshop. The recently elected Coalition Board of Directors and Commission on Civic and Character Education is meeting regularly to plan, and has approved many upcoming activities, such as a statewide conference for summer 2008, teacher and student workshops, and ongoing Dialogues on Democracy. Goals this year also include creating a website, brochure and quarterly newsletter, and giving the Coalition a higher profile with the public and school districts so they will better understand the resources and staff development opportunities available to them to help them accomplish their important civic mission.