Skip to main content

Arizona Department of Education Facebook Page

Arizona Department of Education LinkedIn Page

Arizona Department of Education Instagram

Arizona Department of Education Twitter

Arizona Department of Education YouTube

mobile menu
Arizona Department of Education Homepage
  • Home
  • Parents
    • Parents & Families
    • Arizona Purple Star School Program
    • Early Childhood & Preschool
    • Empowerment Scholarship Account
    • Military Career Information
    • School Report Cards
    • Transcripts & Test Scores
    • U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program
  • Educators & Administrators
    • Academic Standards
    • Accountability
    • Assessment
    • Business & Finance >
      • School Finance
      • State & Federal Grants
      • School Safety
    • Certification & Leadership >
      • Certification & Career
      • Educator Recruitment & Retention
      • Effective Teachers & Leaders (Trainings)
      • Training & Professional Development
    • Post-Secondary Resources
    • Support & Improvement >
      • School Improvement
      • School Support
  • Programs
    • Academic Achievement >
      • Academic Achievement
      • Afterschool & 21st Century Learning Centers
      • Character Education
      • English Learners | OELAS & Migrant Education Program
      • Homeless, Foster Care, & Refugee Programs
      • Title I
    • Adult Education
    • Arizona Purple Star School Program
    • Career & Technical Education
    • Educator Leadership >
      • Charter School Program
      • Effective Teachers & Leaders
      • School Safety
      • School Safety Program
    • Gifted/Advanced Learning >
      • Gifted/Advanced Learning
      • College Credit by Examination
      • Dual Enrollment
      • Gifted Education
    • Health & Nutrition Services
    • Office of Indian Education
    • Special Education
  • About ADE
    • About the Department
    • Accounting & Procurement
    • Contact Us
    • Employment Opportunities
    • News Releases
    • State Board of Education
    • State Board for Charter Schools
    • Submit a Complaint
  • Data & Systems
    • Arizona Digital Educators Library (ADEL)
    • Data Governance
    • Information Technology
    • PAASport
    • Public Educator Search
    • School & Student Data
    • School Report Cards
    • Teacher Input Application (TIA)
  • ADEConnect
    • ADEConnect
    • Common Logon
  • Search
  • Home
  • K-12 Academic Standards
  • Seal of Civics Literacy

Seal of Civics Literacy

Back to the Diploma Seals Page

SOCL Black and White.jpg

SOCL Black and White.jpg

2023-2024 Annual Report

Seal of Civics Literacy Flyer

Click Here > Intent to Participate Form

Now Open 2025-2026 School Year

Click Here > Reporting Form

Complete for 2024-2025 School Year by September 1, 2025

 

Criteria for Seal of Civics Literacy Program (UPDATED 7/2024)

The Arizona Seal of Civics Literacy program recognizes high school students who achieve a high level of proficiency in Civics. The seal is placed upon the student's diploma and noted on their transcript.

  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. 

    1. Arizona Diploma Seals Annual Report Slide Deck

  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) 

  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 it 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. 

  5. Some program links to specific counties or cities but note that as long as it is the same program, it meets the criteria. 

EXAMPLES OF APPROVED Programs and Institutes:

CIVICS PROGRAMSSchool-Sponsored co- and Extra-Curricular Civics-Based Programs
Center for American Civics through ASU Center for Political Thought and Leadership The Arizona High School Mock Trial Program through Law for Kids 
César E. Chávez Leadership Institute through ASU Educational Outreach and Student Services Model UN 
Rise Summer Leadership Institute through ASU Educational Outreach and Student Services Speech and Debate 
AZ GEAR UP Lumberjack Leadership Summit through NAU Gear Up National History Day Contest
The United States Senate Youth Program AP Government
Arizona Girls State / Arizona Boys StateProject Citizen Curriculum and Project 
Junior State of America We the People Curriculum and Program 
National Student Leadership Conference Program: International Diplomacy, Law and Advocacy, Leadership and Service, Political Action and Public Policy Participatory Budgeting
National Youth Impact Summit through Close-Up Rho Kappa Honor Society 
YMCA LIT Summer CampNational Honor Society 
YMCA Youth and GovernmentNational Student Council/Student Government 
Civics Action ProjectTeen Court 
Student Election ProgramJROTC Program 
Jostens Renaissance Global Conference/Summer ConferenceKids Voting Leadership Council 
O'Connor Institute Civics ChallengeO’Connor Institute Ambassadors Civics & Debate Club
Imprints of Honor (previously Veteran's Heritage Project)Civics for Life with Sandra Day O'Connor
Junior Deputy Registrar ProgramSRVCE Curriculum
New Voters Registration DriveThomas Jefferson's Monticello: Monticello’s Art of Citizenship
Young Voter Registration Challenge with ADEMonticello’s Museums for Digital Learning
Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy ProjectJAG on Campus
Maricopa Citizen Leadership AcademyDemocracy in Action: A Digital Storytelling Guide for Educators
Programs, institutes, and initiatives not on this list must be approved by the Arizona Department of Education. Contact [email protected] or the Director of K-12 Social Studies and World and Native Languages. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  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:

Examples of Civic EngagementExamples of Community Service Organizations
Member of a commission or Youth Advisory Board Boy Scouts 
Tribal Council or Tribal Youth Representative Girl Scouts 
Attendance of at least two public government or school board meetings Feed My Starving Children
Volunteering for a political campaign Keystone Club 
Attendance of a day-long protest, march, or demonstration  Key Club 
Participation in voter registration, voter education, or a get-out-the-vote campaign Arizona Humane Society
Serving as an elected official for a community group or organization AmeriCorps Volunteer Search
Completion of a Civics Service Project as Determined by a DistrictReligious-Based Services (No Proselytizing, Worship Service, or Religious Instruction)
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps 
Interact Club through Rotary  
AmeriCorps  
Civics, Leadership, and You from the Flinn Foundation 
Plan and Organize Law Day for your community 
YMCA Youth and Government  
SRVCE Inquiry-Based Learning through Civic Action 
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello: The Feast of Reason Civic Conversation 
Junior Deputy Registrar Program 
JAG Career Association  
Democracy in Action: A Digital Storytelling Guide for Educators 
Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay (This also meets Category Three: Written Reflection) 
Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy 
Maricopa Youth Council  
Civic engagement activities and organizations not on this list must be approved by the Arizona Department of Education. Contact [email protected] or the Director of K-12 Social Studies and World and Native Languages. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  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. 

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. 

 Seeking approval for a program or activity? Contact K[email protected].

 

  • Academic Standards Overview
  • Academic Standards
    • Arts Standards
    • Computer Science
    • Educational Technology
    • English Language Arts
    • Health Standards
    • History and Social Science
    • Mathematics
    • Physical Ed. Standards
    • Science
    • World and Native Languages
  • Diploma Seals Information
  • Early Childhood Education
    • ECE Professional Learning
    • Family Engagement
    • Kindergarten
    • Head Start
    • Preschool
    • Publications & Manuals
  • Literacy
    • Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant​
    • Dyslexia
    • Early Literacy Grant
    • K-5 Literacy Endorsement
    • Literacy Professional Learning
    • Move On When Reading
    • Secondary Literacy (Middle and HS)
    • Science of Reading
  • Additional Programs and Resources
    • Balanced Assessment Resources
    • Diploma Seals
    • Formative Assessment Resources
    • Get SET for STEM
    • Holocaust and Genocide
  • PAEMST (Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching)
  • Grants
    • Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant​
    • Computer Science Professional Development Grant
    • Early Literacy Grant
    • State Tutoring Grant
    • Foundational Literacy Coaching Grant
    • Welcome to Get SET for STEM!
  • Professional Learning and Events
    • ADE Calendar of Events
    • Professional Development
  • Connected Programs
    • Assessment
    • Career & Technical Education
    • Certification
    • Exceptional Student Services
    • Teacher Recruitment and Retention
    • Title IV-A
    • Well Rounded Education
  • High School Graduation Information
    • Diploma Seals
    • Graduation Requirements
  • Standard Resources
    • Computer Science Resources
    • Ed. Tech. Resources
    • ELA Resources
    • Math Resources
    • Physical Education Resources
    • Science and STEM Resources
    • Social Studies Resources
    • World and Native Languages Resources
  • Reach out to us for support!
Contact
  • Academic Standards Front Desk
  • (602) 364-2333
  • [email protected]
  • Contact the Department
  • Click the subscribe button below to receive content area updates
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • School Report Cards
  • State Board of Education
  • State Board for Charter Schools
  • Web Accessibility

© 2025 Arizona Department of Education

  • Statewide Policies
  • Site Map