Seal of Civics Literacy

School/District Eligibility

1. Any PUBLIC school, charter, or district may choose to participate but they must complete the INTENT TO PARTICIPATE FORM by September 1 of the participating year (see top of page). 
2. Schools/districts must develop their own process for collecting student data and distributing the seals. Public school districts and charters must designate at least one individual to serve as the Coordinator of the Program. 
3. Participating school districts and charters must make information regarding the Seal of Personal Finance program available to parents and students. 
4. Schools/Districts must report seal data through the REPORTING FORM no later than 90 days after the school year or by September 1. 

Participant/Student Eligibility (UPDATED 7/2024)

1. Students must complete all requirements during grades 9-12. The only requirement that can be completed prior to 9th grade is passage of the Arizona Civics Test. 
2. Students must complete all high school social studies courses with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 out of a 4.0 scale. 
3. Students must obtain a passing score of 70% on the Arizona Civics Test. If graduating in 2024 or 2025, you only need to pass with a 60%. 
4. Students must meet the specific requirements from each of the 4 categories. 
   1. Civics Learning (Complete/Participate in 3) 
   2. Civics Engagement (Complete 30 Hours) 
   3. Written Reflection (Demonstrate Students Civic Knowledge) 

Category 1: Civics Learning

1. Students must complete or participate in at least three instances that specifically focus on civics content and learning (view the Arizona State Standards for guidance on the definition of civics education). 
2. This must be other than a traditional senior government course. AP Government is an acceptable program with a score of 3 or above but is not required. 
3. Some potential programs and institutes include: participation in civics summer institutes/intensive programs, participation in school-sponsored extra-curricular civics-based activities, and online/in-person courses focused on civics education (other than the traditional government course).  
4. Students are not required to participate in an institute or program that requires travel. 

Approved Programs and Institutes:

Category 2: Civics Engagement (UPDATED 7/2024)

1. Students must participate in 30 HOURS of civic engagement activities with 10 hours dedicated to civics specific activities. 
2. Civic specific (engagement) activities are defined as activities: 
   1. Where students engage with community members (virtually or in person) to identify a cause/issue in the community, state, or nation. 
   2. That must be validated by a supervisor or leader. 
   3. Where students are practicing civics and participating in civics (demonstrating their civic knowledge). 
   4. Are completed with a public agency or civics organization.
   5. That occurs outside of class time. 
3. Community service activities are defined as:
   1. Unpaid work performed for the benefit and betterment of the community.
   2. Working with a credible organization or group (not affiliated with the family).
   3. That are validated by a supervisor or leader.
   4. Can be completed based on personal interests and preferences.
4. Districts/schools should provide a template for documenting these hours. 
   1. SAMPLE TEMPLATE (Canva) 
   2. NJHS Volunteer Hours Form and Reflection (Created by Pinellas County School Board)
5. If a civic engagement activity is not on the list but meets the requirements, it is approved. There is such a variety of ways for students to participate in civic engagement, the list is practically endless!
6. Civics engagement activities can also be completed through Category 1 programs/groups. For example: A student may be in the Student Government which counts as category 1 and the student government decides to host a get-out-the-vote campaign on campus which counts as category 2.

Examples and Approved Civic Engagement Activities:

For questions about civic engagement hours, contact [email protected] or the Director of K-12 Social Studies and World and Native Languages.  

Category 3: Written Reflection

1. Participating students must complete a written reflection on their experiences earning the Arizona State Seal of Civics Literacy.
2. See the Written Reflection Guidance for prompts, alignment to the standards, and a rubric. 
3. Districts/schools are responsible for designing the process for assigning and collecting the written reflection. 

Receiving the Seal of Civics Literacy

Formal Seal from the Arizona Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education will contact those districts/schools who participated and will request an unofficial count of students receiving the Seal of Civics Literacy in April. Foil sticker seals will be sent at the beginning of May to be added to student Diplomas.

Optional Recognitions for Seal of Civics Literacy

The Arizona Department of Education does not supply any of the following options. A local district or school may provide these items to their students who earn the Seal of Civics Literacy.

1. Triple-wrapped graduation cord - Colors for the Seal of Civics Literacy can be red, white, and blue.
2. Certificates issued to students earning the Seal of Civics Literacy
3. Medals for the Seal of Civics Literacy
4. Recognition ceremony or assembly
5. Mention in a local paper
6. Banner with student names that earned the Seal of Civics Literacy

If a student receives test data after school has ended (AP or IB exams for example), they still earn the Seal. They can return their diploma to their school to have the Seal of Civics Literacy attached. The transcripts would also be updated by the district/school once the tests have been recorded.