Citizenship education

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Citizenship education, intended to prepare noncitizens to become legally and social accepted as citizens is carried out by a variety of governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGO). It has generally been free of charge.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, government programs prepared immigrants to take citizenship exams or qualify for citizenship. Many corporations, most prominently Ford, offered similar programs to their employees and families of their employees. In addition, various charities also provided this service. Classes on how to be a good or productive citizen are often required in for graduation from the public high schools of many American states. Classes may also be present in earlier grades deapplying to be British Citizens, this subject is taught to apending on the state and school district.

In 2002 in the UK, Citizenship was introduced as a compulsory subject as part of the English National Curriculum. Rather than providing education solely for those who are applying to become British Citizens, it is taught to all 11-16 year-olds in English state schools and covers a wide range of topics including politics and government, the legal system, the media, diversity and equal opportunities, human rights and global issues. It promotes skills of enquiry and communication and also aims to develop skills of participation and responsible action; i.e. "active citizenship". A short-course GCSE in "Citizenship Studies" is taken by many 14-16 year-old students. Some commentators especially to the right of British politics believe that this is just another 'nonsense' subject.^{[citation needed]} The most notable are the British National Party.^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Citizenship Education at Key Stage 3 (years 7-9) 2 Active Citizenship in Education 3 UK Links 4 See also

[edit] Citizenship Education at Key Stage 3 (years 7-9)

At Key Stage 3 (years 7-9, age 11-14) pupils study:

• the legal and human rights and responsibilities underpinning society, basic aspects of the criminal justice system, and how both relate to young people

• the diversity of national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom and the need for mutual respect and understanding

• central and local government, the public services they offer and how they are financed, and the opportunities to contribute

• the key characteristics of parliamentary and other forms of government

• the electoral system and the importance of voting

• the work of community-based, national and international voluntary groups

• the importance of resolving conflict fairly

• the significance of the media in society

• the world as a global community, and the political, economic, environmental and social implications of this, and the role of the European Union, the Commonwealth and the United Nations

[edit] Active Citizenship in Education

Citizenship Education in the UK also attempts to encourage the necessary skills for a future of active citizenship. To this end, students are taught to:

think about topical political, spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues, problems and events by analysing information and its sources, including ICT-based sources

justify orally and in writing a personal opinion about such issues, problems or events

contribute to group and exploratory class discussions, and take part in debates. Developing skills of participation and responsible action

use their imagination to consider other people's experiences and be able to think about, express and explain views that are not their own

negotiate, decide and take part responsibly in both school and community-based activities

[edit] UK Links

• Citizenship Foundation: What is citizenship education and why teach it?
• DfES Citizenship site
• QCA Citizenship page

[edit] See also

• Citizenship Foundation
• Department for Education and Skills
• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority