Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Civic Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Student representative proposes required 9th/10th‑grade American Civic Studies course
Summary
Student representative Mina Fitzgerald told the committee she proposes a 9th or 10th‑grade American Civic Studies course focusing on constitutional documents, branches of government and civic participation; board members asked about scheduling, whether content could be integrated into existing classes and student involvement in course design.
Mina Fitzgerald, a student representative to the Portland Public Schools Curriculum and Policy Committee, proposed Jan. 29 that the district add a required American Civic Studies course for 9th or 10th graders to boost civic literacy and student engagement.
Fitzgerald told the committee the course would focus on foundational documents, constitutional development, landmark Supreme Court decisions and practical knowledge of how federal, state and local government function. "They would explore various documents that make up our public and our politics such as the Constitution, Declaration of Independence...to take an in‑depth look at the terminology used in these documents," Fitzgerald said.
Why the proposal matters
Fitzgerald said civic knowledge is declining and that a dedicated course would give more students a shared, foundational understanding of civics than relying on occasional coverage in history classes or electives. She suggested the course would prepare students to engage in local and national civic life and give them practical knowledge — for example, about how laws are passed, the role of the vice president and the structure of branches of government.
Board response and questions
Committee members and staff were supportive of the concept but asked practical questions about scheduling, whether the course should be required or an elective and how the district would place the class in students’ schedules. Dr. Stalin (role not specified in the transcript) asked whether the district would reduce another requirement to make room for the class; Fitzgerald said she expected the class would likely replace or be coordinated with an existing elective and that she favored placing it early in high school so students could take other social‑studies electives later.
Vice Chair Vando asked whether the district should begin civic coursework in middle school; Fitzgerald said a middle‑school foundation would be ideal but that her immediate proposal focused on a 9th‑ or 10th‑grade course. Board members also discussed whether the material could be incorporated into existing history classes; Fitzgerald said a standalone course would ensure broader access, noting that some students do not take “A‑P U.S. History” or similarly in‑depth courses.
Student involvement
Committee members and principals in attendance said they want students to be part of curriculum development. Principal Narhan said the work should be collaborative and that he hoped to see planning that includes students, staff and families.
Next steps
Board members praised Fitzgerald’s work and asked staff to continue discussion with teachers and the broader community to explore scheduling, staffing and how the course would fit under the social‑studies umbrella. No formal action was taken.
