Civic Action

Project
Due Dates:

Step 1: -____________________________

Step 2: ____________________________

Step 3: ____________________________

Step 4: ____________________________

Step 5: ____________________________

Final Paper: ________________________

What is the change you want to make?

Why is it important to you?

What is the goal of the Civic Action Project?

 ● For you to be an empowered and active
participant in our government.

What is the Civic Action Project?

● You will exercise your power in an attempt to change a policy at either the local
or state level of government, which can include school policy.
● You will develop a three-part strategy that you will use to make the policy change
happen.
● You will need to attempt to contact a minimum two (2) people at least three (3)
times each as part of your strategy.
● The Civic Action Project (CAP) is a six-step project that we will work on
throughout the quarter. Each journal entry walks you through the process of
creating a policy change and helps you prepare to write the final paper.

The Process:
❏ Journal Entry 1: Identify an Issue
❏ Journal Entry 2: Research existing Power
Structures
❏ Journal Entry 3: Develop an Action Plan
❏ Journal Entry 4: Action Report
❏ Journal Entry 5: Reflection
❏ Final Paper
Each portion of the project will be explained as needed and will include a rubric for each
journal entry. The journal entries are rough drafts of the different components of your final
paper.

Work should be completed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced.

How will it be graded?

The CAP is 20% of your total grade! That’s a lot, that’s two whole letter grades! There are a
total of 84 points available that you can earn as you complete the project.
How are the points broken down?
Journal Entry 1 = 6 points
Journal Entry 2 = 12 points
Journal Entry 3 = 6 points
Journal Entry 4 = 12 points
Journal Entry 5 = 6 points
Journal Total = 42 points
Final Paper = 42 points

Tips:
Take the time to pick a topic that is important to you. This project will mean more to you if you
pick something that really matters to you.
The journal entries as rough drafts that you will revise for the final. They don’t have to be perfect
right now.

This looks like a lot of work, but it isn’t all due at the same time. If you do the process and keep
up with each journal entry, you will do great.

Can I work with a partner?

Yes. If two people in the class are both interested in the same issue, you can work as a team.
However, this does not mean that you will be able to divide the work and only do half the
project. Instead when you develop your action plan and implement it, you will each need to
develop independent strategies that support each other’s strategies, and then put those strategies
into effect.
What is power?

What are the forms of power take, and what is

an example of each form?
1.
Example:

2.
Example:

3.
Example:

4.
Example:

5.
Example:

6.
Example:

Do the forms of power overlap?

What are the rules of power and what is an
example of how those rules work?
1.
Example:

2.
Example:

3.
Example:
What are the three big strategies to use your
power?
1.

2.

3.

What is an example of each category?

1.

2.

3.

What is a conduit of power?

Example:

Are there any local conduits of power?

How would you go about using to these local

conduits to effect your policy change?
Journal Entry #1: What is your issue?
Write a 60 second speech about your issue, which should be one page. Your speech should
address the following questions. You should be as specific as possible in introducing your issue.

What issue/problem do you intend to work on?

Why is this issue/problem important?

How does this issue/problem impact people locally?

Tips:
Be detail oriented.
Start thinking about a specific policy change that would address your issue.
Be persuasive.

You might use this speech later so think about an audience that could be an elected official,
school superintendent or principal, or a school board member when you write.

It’s okay if you don’t know everything about your issue. You don’t need to be experts about your
issue, right now. You will become more expert as you do research and work on your issue.
Journal Entry #1: Rubric (6 points)
Was your issue clearly introduced?

Issue thoroughly introduced Issue somewhat introduced No issue introduced

2 1 0

Was a clear argument made about the importance of your issue?

Importance of your issue Importance of your issue Importance of your issue not
strongly explained somewhat explained explained

2 1 0

Was the local impact of your issue described?

Thoroughly Somewhat Not at all

2 1 0
Journal Entry #2: Research
Research the policy surrounding your topic. Policy can include a law, school rule, budget
decisions, or a school board rule. A lack of policy is also a policy. How much writing you will
need to do will depend on your topic. How many sources you need will also depend on your
topic.

What is the current policy regarding your issue/problem? (If there isn’t one, why not?)

How did this policy get made? Who made the policy? Who can change the policy?

Why was the current policy created?

Tips:
Be thorough.
The more detailed the research is, the easier you will find the rest of the project.
Don’t forget to cite your sources.
Start thinking about a specific policy change.
Find statistics if applicable.
Numbers and statistics can help make a issue more real to some people.

It’s okay if you find more information on your issue as you continue on the project. This is a
rough draft that you can edit and update for the final paper.
Journal Entry #2: Rubric (12 points)
How thoroughly did you explain the current policy or lack of policy regarding your issue?

Very Mostly Some Minimal Not at All

4 3 2 1 0

How thoroughly did you demonstrate your understanding of who is in a position to make the
policy change you want?

Very Mostly Some Minimal Not at All

4 3 2 1 0

How thoroughly did you demonstrate your understanding of the current situation?

Very Mostly Some Minimal Not at All

4 3 2 1 0
Journal Entry #3: Develop your Action Plan
Develop an action plan that you will use to create the policy change that you have targeted. You
need plan on contacting at least 2 people 3 times each. You should have three strategies that
work together to create power that you can use to make your policy change. Consider if the
strategies that you intend to use are the most effective approach to accomplishing your goal.
For example: The Montgomery bus boycott had specific goal, to change the policy
regarding public transportation. The strategy of boycotting the bus line was effective as it
specifically targeted the policy that the boycotters wanted changed.

How will you change the game?

(Spheres of power: State Action)
What is the policy that you want to change?
What do you want the new policy to be?
Why did you decide to make this policy change at the level of government that you did?
How will you change the story?
(Spheres of Power: Social norms, Ideas)
How will you change the equation?
(Spheres of Power: Numbers)

Tips:
If you need to go back and do more research that’s okay. Don’t forget to update your Journal
Entry #2.
Think about the order in which you might want to implement each part of your strategy.
Be persistent.
Be specific. There is power in details.

You are going to need to implement the strategies that you develop so plan accordingly.
Having a specific policy change in mind will be extremely helpful as you develop strategies.
Journal Entry #3: Rubric (6 points)
Have you clearly stated the policy change that you want to make happen?

Clearly stated policy change Unclear policy change No targeted policy change

2 1 0

Have you clearly stated how you will change the story about your issue?

Clear strategy Unclear strategy No stated strategy

2 1 0

Have you clearly stated how you will change the equation?

Clear strategy Unclear strategy No stated strategy

2 1 0

Bonus Points! (AIR HORN! AIR HORN! AIR HORN!)

Did you justify your strategies in relationship to your goal?

Strongly justified Some justification No justification (And that’s

okay)

2 1 0
Journal Entry #4: Action!
You should put your plan into action. Go out and change the world! This is a lot of work,
and takes a lot of time! Be sure to provide evidence that you have contacted 2 different people at
least 3 times person in multiple ways about changing policy. If you are successful immediately,
that’s great! Now expand the scope of your project. Don’t be satisfied with changing the policy
locally, try to make your change happen at the state level. (Don’t worry if that isn’t the case. The
success of your project is not a criteria for assessment.) Copies of emails, interviews, petitions,
surveys, etc count as evidence. Be proud of the work that you did.

Tips:
Get started early.
Be persistent.
Ask follow up questions.
Be declarative.
Take notes on your process.

This portion of the project takes time. Don’t let it go to the last minute!! You are NOT being
accessed on whether or not you are successful at making a change happen. You are being
accessed on whether or not you tried to make a change happen.
Journal Entry #4: Rubric (12 points)
Did you try to contact person A (___________________________) three times? (3 points)
Thrice Twice Once No Contact

3 2 1 0

Did you try to contact person B (___________________________) three times? (3 points)

Thrice Twice Once No Contact

3 2 1 0

Did you try to change the story?

Plan fully Plan somewhat Plan started No Plan
implemented implemented

3 2 1 0

Did you try to change the equation?

Plan fully Plan somewhat Plan Started No plan

implemented implemented

3 2 1 0

More Bonus Points! (AIR HORN! AIR HORN! AIR

HORN!)
Did you go above and beyond the requirements listed above?
Yes No (And that’s okay)

2 0
Journal Entry #5: Reflection
Not every attempt to change a policy is successful immediately. Sometimes, people have
to try multiple times before they accomplish their goal. In order to be successful, people evaluate
their strategies and make alterations based on the successes or barriers that they have
encountered along the way.
Reflect on your attempt to enact policy change. Did you encounter resistance to your
ideas if so what form did it take?
Did the individuals you identified as being able to change your policy disagree or agree
with your policy change? Why? Was it the correct person to contact about your issue or policy
change?
Was there any additional background knowledge about either the structure of government
or about your topic you wished you knew when you started?
Would you change any of your strategies after having tried to implement them?
What would your next step be to continue to try to make your change happen?

Tips:
Reflect as you put your plan into action.

Almost there!
Journal Entry #5: Rubric (6 points)
Did you reflect on your process?

Thoroughly Somewhat considered Minimally considered Not at All

considered the the process the process
process

6 4 2 0
Final Paper
Your final report should consist of each of the five components in the order in which you
have written them. You will be evaluated both on the work that you have put into this project
over the course of the last several weeks as well as the quality of your writing.
(Times New Roman, 12 pt., double spaced)
Final Report:
The final report should include all of these elements.
Step 1 - Elevator Speech: Introduce the issue that you choose to focus and why the issue is
important. (This is basically a thesis statement.)
Step 2 - Research: Explain what the current policy regarding your issue is. If there is not a policy
in place currently, explain why the issue has not been addressed. Explain how the existing policy
was created (by whom and when). Explain why the current policy or lack of policy exists
currently. Make an argument why the current policy does not sufficiently address the issue.
Step 3 - Explain what the policy change you want to make is and why you are focusing on this
particular policy change (adjust the arena and re-rig the rules). How you intended on changing
the narrative and how you intended to change the equation should also be included.
Step 4 - Report on the implementation of your strategies. If, you sent emails include copies of
the emails that you sent. If, you created a survey include a copy of the survey. Show the hard
work that you have put into the project.
Step 5 - Reflect on your attempt to enact policy change. (This is a basically a conclusion.)

Tips:
Be declarative.
For example: The current history curriculum needs to place more emphasis on the last
twenty years. This is a stronger sentence than, I believe that the current history curriculum needs
to place more emphasis on the last twenty years.
Minimize the use of I statements.
For example: Students, who had already completed a United States history class,
completed a survey. This is a stronger sentence than, I gave a survey to students, who had
already completed a United States history class.
Use active voice.
For example: I contacted via email Mrs. Smith, the president of the school board. This is
a stronger sentence than, Mrs. Smith, the president of the school board, was emailed by me.
Be formal in language use.
For example: The survey would have been improved by stating the policy change more
clearly. This is a stronger sentence than, The survey would’ve been better if I stated the policy
change I wanted more clearly.

Final Paper Rubric (42 points)

Writing Quality (20)
Readability (10 points)
Clear, Mostly clear Somewhat clear Not clear Confusing Not
declarative writing, writing, writing, writing, Done
writing that argument argument could argument not Argument not
effectively communicated be sufficiently communicated
communicates effectively communicated communicated
and enhances better
the argument

10 8 6 4 2 0

Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling (points)

No Minimal A few Some mistakes, Many mistakes, Not
noticeable mistakes mistakes, that that do interfere that significantly Done
mistakes do not interfere with interferes with
with communication communication
communication

10 8 6 4 2 0

Component Completion (22 points)

Was the issue clearly introduced? (4 points)

Issue clearly Issue introduced Issue somewhat Issue unclearly Not Done
introduced introduced introduced

4 3 2 1 0

Was the policy fully researched? (5 points)

Thorough Adequate Somewhat Minimally Inadequately Not
research Research Researched Researched Researched Done

5 4 3 2 1 0

Was the 3-part strategy articulated? (4 points)

All 3 parts All 3 parts Only 2 parts Only 1 part present Not Done
 present a clearly present but not present
articulated clearly
articulated

4 3 2 1 0

How thoroughly was the strategy implemented? (5 points)

Total strategy (3 Strategy Only 2 out of 3 Only 1 out of 3 parts Not Done
out of 3 parts) (3 out of 3 parts) parts of the of the strategy
thoroughly somewhat strategy implemented
implemented implemented implemented

4 3 2 1 0

Does the reflection demonstrate consideration of the process? (4 points)

Careful Careful Project Project minimally Not Done
consideration of consideration of somewhat considered
project and project considered
potential changes
for the future

4 3 2 1 0