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Educational Services

Seal of Civic Engagement

The State Seal of Civic Engagement evolved out of Assembly Bill 24. The Bill instructed the California Department of Education to develop a set of criteria to award students who have demonstrated excellence in civic education. “It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE) to encourage, and create pathways for, pupils in elementary and secondary schools to become civically engaged in democratic governmental institutions at the local, state, and national levels.” - California Education Code (EC) Section 51470

Beginning in the 9th grade all high school students are eligible to earn the seal by their 11th or 12th grade year. Students are awarded the SSCE who have demonstrated excellence  in civics education and participation, as well as an understanding of the following: The United States Constitution,  The California Constitution, and the democratic system of government by satisfactorily meeting five set of criteria, reference Quick Link. Recognition is given to students via a State Seal certificate of completion, the seal completion is noted on their high school transcripts, and their high school diploma will bear the State Seal of Civic Engagement.

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