The Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy is urging public schools and teachers across the state to support and expand opportunities for civic learning at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

PennCORD is a unique union of educational, advocacy, and governmental organizations that are committed to improving civic learning for students in grades K-12. The coalition's mission is to encourage the creation of local civic learning policy to implement state standards in every school district by motivating community advocacy for better civic education and supporting educators across Pennsylvania with resources and training.

PennCORD is led by the National Constitution Center, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Office of the Governor, First Lady Marjorie O. Rendell and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

In a memo recently issued by PDE to school officials, the department says, "a vital democratic society requires that its citizens be engaged in decisions effecting their community, state and nation. Public schools play a fundamental role in preparing students for this role. Civic learning is the way each new generation learns the fundamental values, ideals, responsibilities and practices of American democracy. Civic learning is about knowledge and experience, content and competency, knowing and doing. It starts with classroom instruction in history, civics and government and related subjects and extends to actual engagement and experience in the school and community. Young people who understand America's core democratic values are more likely to live and act according to those values, to play by the rules they establish, and to contribute to dialogue about issues that are facing their community, state and nation."

PDE also notes "In this age of educational accountability, we sometimes focus our resources solely on those items that are measured. While this is important we also need to maintain an appropriate balance in preparing students for their future roles as citizens in our representative democracy."

Information and resources about PennCORD and its efforts to support civic learning can be found by visiting www.firstlady.state.pa.us, www.constitutioncenter.org and www.leap-kids.com.