Student Criteria

To qualify for the State Seal of Civic Engagement, a student must:

  1. Be engaged in academic work in a productive way;

  2. Demonstrate a competent understanding of U.S. and California constitutions; functions and governance of local governments; tribal government structures and organizations; the role of the citizen in a constitutional democracy; and democratic principles, concepts, and processes;

  3. Participate in one or more informed civic engagement project(s) that address real-world problems and require students to identify and inquire into civic needs or problems, consider varied responses, take action, and reflect on efforts;

  4. Demonstrate civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions through self-reflection; and

  5. Exhibit character traits that reflect civic-mindedness and a commitment to positively impact the classroom, school, community and/or society.

See the California Department of Education (https://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/hs/hssstateseal.asp) for additional implementation guidance for each of the criteria.