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2016 SESSION

16103065D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 86
Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled January 8, 2016
Recognizing the need for educators in the Commonwealth to cultivate a Virginia high school graduate who is skilled in critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship by (i) protecting vital instructional time for effective civic learning and engagement; (ii) engaging students in civil discourse about contemporary and controversial issues; (iii) appreciating how globalization and technological advancements affect the United States as a constitutional republic and what it means to be a productive member of society; (iv) recognizing the value of effective student governments that serve as laboratories in which students can learn and practice essential citizenship skills; (v) providing professional development for pre-service and in-service teachers, as envisioned by the Standards of Learning Innovation Committee, on the 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and assessments; and (vi) emphasizing the teaching and learning of topics relating to local, state, national, and global issues within the context of the constitutional form of self-government in the United States.
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Patrons-- Anderson, Boysko, Kory and Ware; Senators: Deeds and Petersen
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the Commission on Civics Education is established pursuant to Chapter 55 (§ 30-348 et seq.) of Title 30 of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of (i) educating students on the importance of citizen involvement in a constitutional republic, (ii) promoting the study of state and local government among the Commonwealth's citizenry, and (iii) enhancing communication and collaboration among organizations in the Commonwealth that conduct civics education; and

WHEREAS, the Commission on Civics Education recognizes the need for educators in the Commonwealth to cultivate a Virginia high school graduate who is skilled in critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of elementary and secondary education in the United States is to prepare students for college, a career, and civic life; and

WHEREAS, a major goal of elementary and secondary education in the United States is the development of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for an active and engaged civic life; and

WHEREAS, competent and responsible citizens are informed and thoughtful, active in their communities, and motivated to participate in civic and political action; and

WHEREAS, elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth have reported reductions in instructional time and less focus on civic education as a result of a complexity of constraints; and

WHEREAS, teachers need to participate in opportunities for professional development to increase their content knowledge and build capacity to assess student learning; and

WHEREAS, a foundational belief of the Standards of Learning Innovation Committee established pursuant to § 22.1-253.13:10 of the Code of Virginia is that "students need and deserve an education that inspires and capitalizes on their curiosity and natural desire to learn so that each student is prepared for responsible citizenship and success beyond high school"; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly recognize the need for educators in the Commonwealth to cultivate a Virginia high school graduate who is skilled in critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship by (i) protecting vital instructional time for effective civic learning and engagement; (ii) engaging students in civil discourse about contemporary and controversial issues; (iii) appreciating how globalization and technological advancements affect the United States as a constitutional republic and what it means to be a productive member of society; (iv) recognizing the value of effective student governments that serve as laboratories in which students can learn and practice essential citizenship skills; (v) providing professional development for pre-service and in-service teachers, as envisioned by the Standards of Learning Innovation Committee, on the 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and assessments; and (vi) emphasizing the teaching and learning of topics relating to local, state, national, and global issues within the context of the constitutional form of self-government in the United States; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Board of Education in order that the members of the Board of Education may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter during their deliberations.