School Award and Recognition Program
What is a School of Distinction?

The Educating for Democracy School Award and Recognition Program is based on The Civic Mission of Schools report, published by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and CIRCLE, which recommended Six Promising Approaches to Civic Education. The awards and recognition program has two categories: Schools of Merit and Schools of Distinction

A School of Distinction is committed to high-quality civic education. It strives to provide opportunities for all students to participate in learning experiences that support the six promising approaches to civic education as described in the Civic Mission of Schools report. It is currently implementing activities in multiple classrooms and during out-of-class time that support at least some of the promising approaches.

A School of Distinction is willing to serve as a model to demonstrate programs and activities that support the promising approaches. Efforts to raise the awareness of students, teachers, parents, and the community about the importance of civic education are made and can be documented.

The Campaign is aware that we have schools in our state that have had a civic mission for many years and that are already implementing outstanding civic education programming. These schools are invited to apply for the School of Distinction award without going through the School of Merit process.

For schools that have received the School of Merit recognition, we invite you to apply for this award once you have begun implementing your plans and have programs and activities that can serve as models.

Selection Criteria for Schools of Distinction

To be recognized as a School of Distinction:

A) Register for the California Civic Mission of Schools Awards and Recognition pro gram.

B) Work to implement the plan you have already developed as a part of the “School of Merit” planning process, or if you are applying to be recognized for existing programming provide a description of how you are implementing outstanding civic education programming.

C) Demonstrate implementation of at least two of the promising approaches in both classroom and out-of-class settings, such as extra-curricular or lunchtime programming.

D) Provide anecdotal information about the impact and effectiveness of your efforts.

D) Demonstrate continued work toward excellence in civic education and provide outreach to the school and broader community to engage them in the efforts.

E) Be willing to serve as a model for other schools.

The Awards and Recognition Toolkit provides suggestions and a host of resources to support your efforts through each step of the process.

E) Apply for the Schools of Distinction awards.

In addition to Schools of Distinction awards, a number of special awards will be given for excellence in individual categories.

Recognition for Schools of Distinction

Schools will be recognized in the publications of the campaign and on its web site, as well as by collaborating organizations. Schools of Distinction will receive electronic and hard-copy decals to publicize the award, a plaque for display, and are eligible to order a special recognition flag. Schools will also be listed on the roll call presented each year during U.S. Constitution Week to California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction and released to the media. The Campaign will send letters of recognition to local school boards, local and county superintendents and offices of education. Finally, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction will select one School of Distinction from each region for special recognition.