Learn about the many ways our schools, communities, and the Washington State Legislature support civic education. Citizens interested in helping build examples of effective civic education may contact OSPI Social Studies.
Civic Education
Resources for K-12 Learning
Contact Information
Learning & Teaching
Civic Education includes the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework and six proven instructional practices for ensuring that every student is provided a high-caliber civic education from kindergarten through high school graduation.
"Learning to make and evaluate evidence-based arguments (claims) is the singular, unifying, intellectual goal of all social studies courses."
Walter C. Parker, Inquiry Design Model, 2018
Goal
Ensure that every student is provided a high-caliber civic education from kindergarten through high school graduation.
Graduation Requirements
The primary laws and regulations for civic education are:
- State learning standards - RCW 28A.150.210
- Civics credit requirement - RCW 28A.230.094
- Social studies assessments - RCW 28A.230.095
- Civics teacher training program - RCW 28A.415.285
See the complete list of social studies laws and regulations.
Resources
- OSPI and Secretary of State joint letter: 2023 Temperance and Good Citizenship Day
- OSPI and Secretary of State News Release: Celebrating 100 Years of Civics Education Engagement
- Washington's annual civic observances
- Poster: Social Studies Education in the State of Washington
- College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework
- Six proven practices for enhancing civic education