California State Seal of Civic Engagement
Your voice. Your community. Your impact.
High school seniors have the power to make a difference in their communities—and have that contribution recognized at graduation through the California State Seal of Civic Engagement.
To support educators as they guide students through the California State Seal of Civic Engagement requirements, the Riverside County Office of Education is developing SEAL: Student Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership.
SEAL is a course designed to help seniors turn issues they care about into meaningful civic action while working toward the California State Seal of Civic Engagement. Through guided learning, a community-focused project, and personal reflection, SEAL will help students build civic knowledge, practice leadership, and create a portfolio that tells the story of their contribution.
Interested in the course or exploring how it could support your school’s civic engagement efforts? Complete our general interest form to share your needs and request information about course access, implementation, and next steps.
What is the State Seal of Civic Engagement?
The California State Seal of Civic Engagement recognizes students who demonstrate civic knowledge, meaningful participation, and a commitment to improving their communities. Students who meet state and local requirements may receive the seal on their diploma, transcript, or certificate of completion.
Turn an interest into action
What matters to you? A healthier environment? Animal welfare? Housing? Helping young people participate in their communities?
RCOE’s course is being designed to guide students through a purposeful process:
- Investigate: Research a civic issue and listen to people affected by it.
- Explore: Consider different perspectives and possible solutions.
- Plan: Develop a civic action plan with clear goals.
- Act: Put the plan into practice and document the work.
- Reflect: Evaluate the impact and what the experience taught you.
- Share: Assemble a portfolio demonstrating civic learning, leadership, and contribution.
Students will have opportunities to connect their interests with local needs while developing skills in research, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving.
For educators: Help students take the next step
Teachers, counselors, school leaders, and instructional coaches play an essential role in helping students see themselves as people who can shape their communities.
RCOE is developing a structured pathway to help educators guide high school seniors through civic learning, project planning, action, reflection, and portfolio development. The course is intended to support meaningful student choice and projects that reflect local interests and needs.
Support students toward the seal
California’s framework includes five areas: productive engagement in academic work; civic knowledge; informed civic action; self-reflection; and civic-mindedness.
Educators can help students connect their learning and experiences to these areas, identify purposeful projects, and gather evidence of their growth. Schools and districts establish local requirements and verify that students meet the criteria for the seal. Completing the RCOE course will support that process; earning the seal requires meeting all applicable state and local requirements.
Build on students’ strengths
Meaningful civic participation can take many forms, including research, advocacy, service, storytelling, public communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Students bring valuable perspectives from their own lives, schools, and communities
The goal is to help students use those strengths to take informed action and explain what they learned through the experience.
Bring civic learning to your students
Interested in the course or exploring how it could support your school’s civic engagement efforts? Complete our general interest form to share your needs and request information about course access, implementation, and next steps.
Submitting the interest form expresses interest in the developing program and does not enroll students in the course.
Learn more: California Department of Education: State Seal of Civic Engagement