The UCLC has four focus areas

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• Foundations of Democracy: Curriculum Strategies

• Character and School Culture: Fostering Civic Dispositions

• Media/Digital Literacy and Contemporary Debates

• Experiential Civics and Academic Service Learning

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The UCLC has three purposes

 

1. Build on the partnerships and innovations occurring in K-12 classrooms.

2. Help Utah educators leverage research on best practices in civics and character education and curriculum content. 

3. Connect organizations and community nonprofits with K-12 classrooms in ways that facilitate young peoples’ lifelong engagement in civic life. 

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The UCLC meets every other month on Zoom. To learn more, send email to admin@placeforallutah.org 

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Background and Rationale for the UCLC

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Definitions of Civic and Character Education from Utah Statute:​

 

Utah Statute s sets forth high expectations for youth and their preparation for civic life...
 

53G-10-204.  Civic and character education
"Character education" means reaffirming values and qualities of character which promote an upright and desirable citizenry. 
"Civic education" means the cultivation of informed, responsible participation in political life by competent citizens committed to the fundamental values and principles of representative democracy in Utah and the United States.
"Values" means time-established principles or standards of worth.

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(2)    The Legislature recognizes that:

(a)    Civic and character education are fundamental elements of the public education system's core mission as originally intended and established under Article X of the Utah Constitution;
(b)    Civic and character education are fundamental elements of the constitutional responsibility of public education and shall be a continuing emphasis and focus in public schools;
(c)    the cultivation of a continuing understanding and appreciation of a constitutional republic and principles of representative democracy in Utah and the United States among succeeding generations of educated and responsible citizens is important to the nation and state;
(d)    the primary responsibility for the education of children within the state resides with their parents and that the role of state and local governments is to support and assist parents in fulfilling that responsibility;
(e)    public schools fulfill a vital purpose in the preparation of succeeding generations of informed and responsible citizens who are deeply attached to essential democratic values and institutions; and
(f)    the happiness and security of American society relies upon the public virtue of its citizens which requires a united commitment to a moral social order where self-interests are willingly subordinated to the greater common good.

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(3)    Through an integrated curriculum, students shall be taught in connection with regular school work:

(a)    honesty, integrity, morality, civility, duty, honor, service, and obedience to law;
(b)    respect for and an understanding of the Declaration of Independence and the constitutions of the United States and of the state of Utah;
(c)    Utah history, including territorial and pre-territorial development to the present;
(d)    the essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system;
(e)    respect for parents, home, and family;
(f)    the dignity and necessity of honest labor; and
(g)    other skills, habits, and qualities of character which will promote an upright and desirable citizenry and better prepare students to recognize and accept responsibility for preserving and defending the blessings of liberty inherited from prior generations and secured by the constitution.

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(4)    Local school boards and school administrators may provide training, direction, and encouragement, as needed, to accomplish the intent and requirements of this section and to effectively emphasize civic and character education in the course of regular instruction in the public schools.

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In the face of competing demands on educators, preparing students to be part of an upright citizenry is no small task.  The UCLC brings experts and stakeholders together to find the best ways to prepare young people for civic life. ​

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Utah's Portrait of a Graduate

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The Utah Portrait of a Graduate identifies the ideal characteristics of a Utah graduate.  There is a seamless infusion of the language of the preceding statute within the document, with specific references to civic, financial, and economic literacy; honesty, integrity, and responsibility; hard work and resilience; service; and respect.  In addition, other skills, habits, and qualities of character for today's citizen require digital literacy and critical thinking and problem solving.

 

The Utah Civic Learning Collaborative has embraced the unapologetically lofty ideals of the P of G.  Together we have the expertise to translate those ideals into reality for Utah students. 

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