Small Grants Program: The Consortium has sponsored eight rounds of small grants ($1,000-$10,000 per grant) with funding from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, distributing a total of $407,000 to 69 various school and community-based programs. Applications are released each summer, and grant money is awarded in December of each year. See Small Grants Program for further information.
Professional Development: The Consortium offers professional development for teachers and school systems seeking to increase their students’ civic learning. The trainings, which showcase Consortium lessons and activities, provide participants with the tools they need to teach NC state and local government in a meaningful and engaging manner. The Consortium is available to conduct on-site trainings for individual school districts, and also offers two-day trainings at the School of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill. Click here for upcoming trainings.
Youth Civic Engagement Database: The Consortium is currently compiling civic education lesson plans aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study as well as resources for local government and community organizations seeking to improve youth civic engagement in their local communities. The Consortium plans to launch the database in summer 2007. Please contact Christie Hinson at hinson@sog.unc.edu or 919.962.8389 with questions.
Youth Advisory Committee: Members of the Committee advise Consortium staff directly while also enjoying opportunities to travel in North Carolina, to partner with Kids Voting North Carolina, and to participate in programs that strengthen civic engagement among their peers. For more information, click here.
Incorporating Current Events Discussion into Civics and Economics: The Consortium worked alongside Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and local community partners to create a resource notebook and CD-Rom encouraging discussions of current events and controversial issues. These materials highlight web resources and lesson plans aligned with the NC Standard Course of Study to aid educators. Funding provided by the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools (Carnegie Corp. of NY and the Knight Foundation). Click here to access materials: Current Event Resources or email Christie Hinson at hinson@sog.unc.edu for more information.
Youth for Justice: The Consortium serves as the North Carolina contact for Youth for Justice, the nationally coordinated law-related education program of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. For more information, view News and Current Opportunities or www.youthforjustice.org.
Technical Assistance: The Civic Education Consortium is poised to serve the everyday needs of teachers and community leaders. Please contact Kelley O'Brien at obrien@sog.unc.edu if you are seeking information on curriculum, best practices, or training for your organization.
National Partnerships and Visibility
National Congressional Conference on Civic Education: Led a state team in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
National Panel to Develop The Civic Mission of Schools Report: Released February, 2003, the consortium served to help identify and summarize findings of nationwide civic education research. The report makes recommendations for schools, school systems, states, federal agencies, and funders. The Consortium also serves on the governing committee for a national campaign to promote the report’s recommendations.
2003 White House Forum on History, Civics & Service: The NC Civic Education Consortium advocated for the civic mission of education and was the only state-level organization featured at the forum.
