Updated 09/13/06...wl

Articles, Documents, and Tools

Action Forward (PDF) This file requires the free Adobe Reader.

This is a companion manual to the Action Forward website. This manual and website are designed to increase the accessibility and sustainability of college student civic engagement initiatives. The website is a hub of information and storage space for students wanting to either store information about their projects or find information about projects around the country. The companion manual takes students through the steps of cataloguing their practices and creating mechanisms to sustain their work.

Civic Reflection

This site is a resource for people seeking to learn more about civic reflection. It features an electronic library of readings sorted by questions and topics, guidance on organizing programs, and a facilitators' forum.

Education Commission of the States Issue Brief: Citizenship Education

This article discusses the pros and cons of lowering the voting age and offers a summary of recent legislation introduced by states to lower the voting age.

"Hallmarks" of an Engaged Citizen (RTF)

A document produced by the Maine Citizenship Education Study Commission in February 2004 that outlines the civic attitudes and beliefs, civic and political knowledge and skills and political and community actions that can be called "hallmarks" of an engaged citizen.

Health Education Resource Collection

A huge collection of health education materials available for loan to any Maine school system, community organization, health facility or individual.

The Journal for Civic Commitment

The Journal for Civic Commitment is a twice-yearly, online journal dedicated to service-learning and civic engagement.

Maine Learning Results

The official site detailing the current Maine Learning Results.

Michigan House Civics Commission

Elementary, middle, and high school civics lesson plans and curricula that address public policy and action including tools for preparing testimony.

North Carolina Civic Index 2003

Nearly 800 non-voting age youth, ages 13-17, were asked about their civic skills, behavior, knowledge, attitudes and opportunities. To establish a benchmark for civic education and engagement, the Consortium also surveyed 800 adults on the same issues. Information gathered from the telephone surveys was coupled with existing measures, such as voter turnout, charitable giving and diversity in public office, to create the first-ever statewide assessment of civic education and engagement.

Points of Light Foundation Resources

Over 100 resources collected by the Points of Light Foundation on issues and activities ranging from youth-adult partnerships to creating stronger communities. This is searchable by network, category, alphabetical order or date.

Raise Your Voice Resource Guides

This page contains toolkits on utilizing the media, voter registration, facilitating a dialogue and community mapping, among others!

Student Representation on Maine School Boards

This document outlines research findings about student representation on Maine school committees/boards. All Maine superintendents were asked about student representation on boards/committees in their districts. Findings show 26% of respondents answered "Yes" to the question, "Do you have young people on your district's school board?" This research was conducted by the Maine Citizenship Education Task Force's Youth Voice and Leadership Subcommittee and is dated May 23, 2005.

Truman Presidential Museum and Library

This section has great resources, including games and crossword puzzles about the three branches of government and the separation of powers.

Young Adult guide to law

On Your Own is the Maine Bar Association’s guide to the law for young adults published each spring in time for free distribution to graduating high school seniors throughout Maine (schools must order copies in advance). A compact, 64-page guide, On Your Own covers the rights and responsibilities of adulthood, including buying a car; the rules of the road; making choices about military service, college, and finding a job; voting; finding an apartment; dealing with landlords; credit ratings and credit reports; spoken, implied and written warranties; consumer problems; what happens if you're arrested; how Maine courts work, and more. http://www.mainebar.org/public_yourown.asp

Video on Civic Engagement

New Hampshire Defines Civic Engagement is produced by the New Hampshire Alliance for Civic Engagement for students by students. It is a 15-minute video that features students interviewing Gov. Lynch, Sen. Gregg, and other elected New Hampshire officials and students. There is also a discussion guide (PDF/277KB) to assist teachers in leading a class discussion with students about civic engagement and what it means to them. To obtain a copy of the video, please complete the online order form.

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Articles, Documents, and Tools