DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 176
September 8, 2006
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Implementation
of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
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I am pleased to bring to
your attention the recognition of Constitution Day to be celebrated officially this
year on September 18, 2006. As you know,
Congress passed legislation that requires the implementation of an educational
program pertaining to the United States Constitution, on a date designated by
statute as Constitution Day and
Citizenship Day. This 2004
Congressional initiative is authorized by Section 111 of Division J of Public
Law 108-447, and applies to educational institutions receiving federal funding
from the United States Department of Education (USED).
All schools may determine
what kind of educational program is appropriate for their students. Some informational resources pertaining to
the Constitution that may be useful in planning educational activities are listed
on the USEDs website at http://www.ed.gov. Go to the search box and enter Constitution
Day. Information about citizenship and civics
is also available at other nonpartisan websites including the following
addresses: http://BillofRightsInstitute.org
and http://www.constitutionday.com/.
In conjunction with Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,
the Virginia Department of Education also is pleased to provide teachers and
school divisions with a new website entitled, Everyday Civics. The Web
site highlights civics Standards of Learning for elementary, middle, and
secondary teachers, and includes information, pictures, lesson plans, links,
teacher resources, and a discussion board.
In addition, the website supports the legislative mandates of the
Commission on Civics Education.
Everyday Civics
is available at the following website address:
http://civics.pwnet.org. These materials are copyrighted and all
rights are reserved. Reproduction of
these materials for instructional purposes in
If you need additional
information about either Constitution Day
and Citizenship Day or the Everyday
Civics website, please contact Beverly Thurston, coordinator, history, social
sciences and international education, Office of Middle and High School
Instruction, by e-mail at Beverly.Thurston@doe.virginia.gov,
or by telephone at (804) 225-2893.
BKC/BE/yba