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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, A unique opportunity exists in this State for
3secondary schools to be designated as Illinois Democracy
4Schools; these schools provide students with authentic
5experiences in the rights, responsibilities, and tensions
6inherent in living in a constitutional democracy; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Illinois Democracy Schools consciously promote
8civic engagement by all students, have an intentional focus on
9fostering participatory citizenship, and place an emphasis on
10helping students understand how the fundamental ideals and
11principles of our democratic society relate to important
12current problems, opportunities, and controversies; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Illinois Democracy Schools collaborate with
14parents, students, and their communities in developing a civic
15mission and in providing curricular and extra-curricular civic
16learning experiences for all students; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Illinois Democracy Schools engage all of their
18students in a continual process of improving and increasing
19civic learning and engagement; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Nine high schools in this State are currently
21designated as Illinois Democracy Schools, and thus have

 

 

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1expanded their students' opportunities for civic education and
2engagement; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Quality civic educational opportunities are vital
4for all students in this State and should be included in every
5student's school experience; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The original intent of public schools was to
7prepare children to participate constructively as adult
8citizens in our democracy, while recent school reform efforts
9emphasized improving student achievement in reading,
10mathematics, and science only; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Like millions of their peers across the country,
12many secondary school students in this State lack sufficient
13formal instruction and opportunities for the development of
14civic engagement; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Civic education in schools can play a vital role
16in encouraging today's youth to become the active and informed
17citizens our democracy requires; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The strength of our communities, this State, and
19our nation depends on future generations understanding,
20appreciating, and actively engaging in civic responsibility;
21therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend the efforts
3of those 9 schools that have already taken the necessary steps
4to become Illinois Democracy Schools; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That we encourage all secondary schools in this
6State to take the necessary steps to become Illinois Democracy
7Schools; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That each school district's school report card
9shall designate which of the district's secondary schools, if
10any, are Illinois Democracy Schools and which are not; and be
11it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
13delivered to the Illinois P-20 Council, the State Board of
14Education, the State Superintendent of Education, and all
15regional superintendents of schools.