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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.2 Civic Ed Programs~1~-~a !~ITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 9, 1990 .~ SUBJECT: Civic Education Program RECOMMENDATION: Receive report. ovide comments . ~^ Direct staff to proceed with the proposed Civic /'~ ~ Education activities . FINANCIAL ~TATEMENT: Costs associated with staff time. DESCRIPTION: Included in the 1990 Goals & Objectives Program were a number of Public Relations objectives including the development of a Student Government Day or comparable civic education program. Subsequently, staff has worked with representatives of the Dublin School District and staff inembers of Dublin High School to develop a civic education program . Presently, Dublin High offers a one semester course in Civics to High School seniors. The course focuses on federal, state and local government. Currently, the Civics teacher spends approximately 3 weeks discussing local government (city/county) in terms of the structure, how local government effe~ts the lives of the citizens, and jobs / responsibilities of local officials . To augment Dublin High's current civic education program, the following ideas were suggested as part of an overall civic ed.ucation program: 1. Resurrecting the Dublin High Civics Term Project 2. Developing a City Resource Guide to be used by teachers and/or students 3. Promoting the Dublin Police Ride-Along Pragram 4. Participating in the 1990 Soviet ~change Student program 5. Developing additional civic education activities (i.e. , conducting regular tours of the Dublin Civic Center, developing case studies to be used by students, etc.) TERM PROJECT One of the major activities included in the proposed civic education program is the revival of the Dublin High Civic Term Project. The Term Project is designed as a hands-on exercise, combining a number of research, analytical and communication skills. Students would be required to research issues, read the local newspapers and various City publications (i. e. , City budget, newsletter, etc.), watch community access television, visit the library, attend a City Council and/or City Commission meeting, interview City staff and/or elected officials, tour the Dublin Civic Center, and write a term paper. City staff was given an opportunity to review the draft Term Project and pravide input. A number of suggestions were presented to the Mr. Parrish, Dublin High Civics Teacher. Mr. Parrish was receptive to the suggestions provided by City staff . He indicated that he will be incorporating City staff's ideas into the Term Project (to be finalized in August 1990) . ------------------------------------ ~. COPIES TQ: ~;~blin Unifi~d S~hool District ~'~~ n - ~ ~ ~ I 5 -~a !~ITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATIIVIENT CITY COUNCII., MEETING DATE: June 9, 1990 SUBJECT : Civic Education Program RECOMMENDATION; Receive report. ovide comments . ~^ Direct staff to proceed with the proposed Civic ~`~ ~ Education activities . FINANCIAL STATIIVIENT: Costs associated with staff time. DESCRIPTION: Included in the 1990 Goals & Objectives Program were a number of Public Relations objectives including the development of a Student Government Day or comparable civic education program. Subsequently, staff has worked with representatives of the Dublin School District and staff inembers of Dublin High School to develop a civic education program . Presently, Dublin High offers a one semester course in Civics to High School seniors. The course focuses on federal, state and local government. Currently, the Civics teacher spends approximately 3 weeks discussing local government ( cityl county) in terms of the structure, how local government effe~ts the lives of the citizens, and jobs/responsibilities of local officials. To augment Dublin High's current civic education program, the following ideas were suggested as part of an overall civic ed.ucation program: 1. Resurrecting the Dublin High Civics Term Project 2. Developing a City Resource Guide to be used by teachers and/or students 3. Promoting the Dublin Police Ride-Along Program 4. Participating in the 1990 Soviet Exchange Student program 5. Developing additional civic education activities (i.e. , conducting regular tours of the Dublin Civic Center, developing case studies to be used by students, etc.) TERM PROJECT One of the major activities included in the proposed civic education program is the revival of the Dublin High Civic Term Project . The Term Project is designed as a hands-on exercise, combining a number of research, analytical and communication skills. Students would be required to research issues, read the local newspapers and various City publications (i.e., City budget, newsletter, etc. ), watch community access television, visit the library, attend a City Council and/or City Commission meeting, interview City staff and/or elected officials, tour the Dublin Civic Center, and write a term paper. City staff was given an opportunity to review the draft Term Project and provide input. A number of suggestions were presented to the Mr. Parrish, Dublin High Civics Teacher. Mr. Parrish was receptive to the suggestions provided by City staff . He indicated that he will be incorporating City staff's ideas into the Term Project (to be finalized in August 1990) . ---------------------------------------------- /I~~ COPIES TC~: ~ublin Unifi~d S~:hool District TTL~TR /.Tn /"7 / I 4~1 ~1 ~ ~'ITY RESOURCE GU~DE A second component to the proposed civic education program is the development of a City Resource Guide to be used by teachers and/or students. The Guide could contain current information about local government ( city/ county) , including an overview of services, structure, budget information, organizational chart, as well as miscellaneous games, exercises and activities. Mr. Parrish indicated that this would be a useful classroom tool. Staff proposes to work with Dublin High instructors to develop the Resource Guide . RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM Included in the proposed civic education program is promotion of the City's Police Ride-Along Program. Currently, the Ride-Along Program is available to students 16 years of age or older. In order to participate in the program, students must obtain parental approval. This program would be coordinated through the Dublin Police Services . SOVIET STUDENT EXCHANGE PftOGRAM In A~:~gust 1990, Dublin High will host five Soviet exchange students. The 1990 visit is part of the Alameda County Soviet Exchange Studies Program. The 1990 program is eight weeks long. During the first four weeks, Dublin High students, along with students from other schools in Alameda County, will visit the Soviet Union. Following the four week stay in the Soviet Union, the students Soviet students will experience a similar four week program in the U. S. A. . Mr. Parrish, program coordinator, has asked that the City participate in this program. Specifically, Mr. Parrish would like to arrange for a physical tour of the City of Dublin, a tour of the Dublin Civic Center, meetings with the Mayor and key City staff , and visits to various City and community facilities such as the Dublin Swim Center, the library, the Old Murray School, etc. It is expected that the group of students (10 including Soviet and American) will to return to Dublin during the week of August 6- 10, 1990. Dublin High staff has requested the reception be tentatively scheduled August 8. ADDITIONAL CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES Lastly, it was suggested that City staff, Dublin High staff and Dublin School District representatives maintain an ongoing relationship in order to promote quality civic education. This could be facilitated in a number of ways including: ~ Participating in an ongoing exchange of civic education information (e.g., City staff could provide case study information to Dublin High instructors) • Conducting regular (each semester) tours of the Dublin Civic Center • 5erving as guest speakers for Dublin High Civics classes It was felt that if the City/ Dublin High Civic Education program proves successful, we could consider expanding and/or modifying the program to include Valley High, Valley Christian High and perhaps even middle school students. Staff recommends that the City Council review the proposed civic education program and provide input. In addition, it is recommended that the City Council direct staff to work with representatives of the School District and Dublin High to : 1) develap a City Resource Guide; 2) promote the Police Ride-Along Program; 3) welcome the Soviet Exchange Students in August, 1990; and 4) continue to pursue additional civic education opportunities . r~. rYL.~