CIVICS 101

The Office of the Secretary of State has created the CIVICS 101 program, a high school curriculum that focuses on government structure, the importance of voting, the electoral process, running for public office in Rhode Island, communicating with your elected officials, volunteerism and civic participation. CIVICS 101 began implementation in fall 2003.  Educators are encouraged to review the curriculum online and independently implement part or all of its components in their classrooms.

• CIVICS 101 is a three-unit high school curriculum.
• Unit 1: Rhode Island History, Government Structure and How Government Affects Your Life: This unit gives an overview on the founding of Rhode Island, the structure of the United States federal and state governments, and insights into how government affects all aspects of our lives.
• Unit 2: Voting, the Electoral Process and Running for Office in Rhode Island: This unit gives an overview of the importance of voting, how to register to vote, register others to vote, voting blocks and running for elected office in Rhode Island.
• Unit 3: Beyond Voting: Civic Participation: This unit gives an overview of volunteerism, civic participation and communicating with your elected officials.
• CIVICS 101 combines instructional lectures from teachers as well as hands-on activities to engage students and reinforce concepts.
• Activities include: Following citywide elections, running a mock election, conducting a voter registration drive and inviting elected officials into the classroom.
• CIVICS 101 is being piloted during the Fall 2003 semester at Woonsocket High School and Central Falls High School.
  
• All high school educators are encouraged to review CIVICS 101 and independently implement part or all of its components in their classes.