Finding the Meaning of Citizenship

Samantha Rabinowicz believes that schools are about more than just teaching and testing. “It’s our job as educators to help students realize that they have a role in society and they have the power to make a difference in a bigger way,” she says.

Rabinowicz (SED’10) is doing just that. A volunteer at the Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character (CAEC) at the School of Education, she’s helping the center launch an essay contest in Massachusetts public high schools on a topic she says is particularly pertinent to today’s students: the meaning of citizenship.

“Citizenship is a very broad term,” Rabinowicz says, “and sometimes it’s difficult to understand exactly what it encompasses. That’s why this contest is so important. We’re hoping that it will spark discussion and really get students thinking about what citizenship means.”

Founded in 1989 by SED Professor Emeritus Kevin Ryan, the CAEC addresses issues of sound ethical values and good character by educating teachers at all grade levels through its Teachers Academy, one-day seminars, consultations, and semiannual publication, Character. Since the center’s founding, it has reached nearly 6.7 million students through its work with public and private schools, both nationally and abroad. This is the first time that the center has sponsored an essay contest.

“Young people are citizens of their schools, communities, nation, and world,” says Bernice Lerner, the center’s executive director. “By inviting them to reflect on their rights and obligations in these roles, we hope to open constructive dialogue in the home, classroom, and community.”

Lerner came up with the idea of having a citizenship contest after giving a speech on character and citizenship at a conference in Singapore. “The topic fits in well with the center’s mission,” she says, “and it also ties in with this year’s election.”

The CAEC is seeking donations in the range of $1,000 to $5,000 to cover the cost of prizes, judges, and an awards ceremony. Rabinowicz is not sure yet what the prizes will be. “Ideally, we’d like to award a scholarship,” she says, “but we don’t know if that will be feasible. We’re also kicking around the idea of asking the winners to donate a portion of their winnings to a charity of their choice.”

In addition to sponsoring the contest, Rabinowicz says, the center hopes to work with coordinators at the different schools, specifically in social studies departments, to create a citizenship lesson plan that would dovetail with the essay contest. “In this day and age,” she says, “people need to realize that the world is bigger than themselves, and they have responsibilities to others.”

Contest submissions will be accepted from December 1, 2008, through February 1, 2009, and the winners will be recognized at a ceremony on April 16, 2009, celebrating the center’s 20th anniversary.

“I feel like part of citizenship is about taking a stand for something you believe in and doing something about it and not just complaining,” Rabinowicz says. “This contest is a chance to do something and make a difference, and it goes hand in hand with what the CAEC is trying to teach and promote.”

Vicky Waltz can be reached at vwaltz@bu.edu.