Participation in Government

Syllabus

Course Description

Participation in Government (HVS11) emphasizes the teaching of basic civic values that are reflective of the principles of civility, citizenship, and character. Throughout this course there is an emphasis on the duties, obligations, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship.

The course aims to provide students with opportunities to become engaged in the political process by acquiring the knowledge and practicing the skills necessary for active citizenship. It adapts its approach by using local, national, and global circumstances by selecting current events to illuminate key ideas and conceptual understandings. In the digital age it is vital to encourage active, authentic participation in personal education, government, and in communities as fundamental to creating a more perfect Union that leads to the success of American democracy.

Seal of Civic Readiness

The New York State Seal of Civic Readiness (NYSSCR) is a distinction on student diplomas that encourages civic knowledge and participation through experiential learning and the engagement of youth voice, leadership, and action. It lets employers and post-secondary institutions know that students have developed the competencies central to being an active member of a community and society. In addition to serving as a special endorsement on student diplomas, the Seal of Civic Readiness is a graduation pathway, meaning it can stand in for the fifth Regents exam for a Regents or Local diploma.

Civics for All has led work in the State to ensure that students are given access to the highest quality civic learning experiences and achieve civic readiness while also emphasizing the importance of social studies, civics, and humanities education as central to the development of life-long skills and success.

Participatory Budgeting (PB) is one of the components of Civics for All's Partner School Program. PB is a student-driven, democratic budgeting process where school community members decide how to spend part of a budget on something to improve the school community. Participatory Budgeting in schools tends to run each school year from November–March.

Credit

Successful completion of HVS11 awards one (1) social studies credit towards graduation. Students should confer with their school counselor to track their progress in meeting graduation requirements 🔗. Successful completion of Civics for All project may lead to a Seal of Civic Readiness if additional requirements are met.

Devices, Instructional Materials, and Resources

In addition to traditional in-person instruction students may be required to use an online learning management system (LMS) to complete course assignments, assessments, and projects. In addition, from time to time, students may be required to visit government, mass media and other websites not specified.

Units of Study

This course has three units. Each unit has essential questions and corresponding textbook readings. All students are expected to complete any reading when assigned. The timeline of lessons is subject to change as needed to meet student needs.

Course Expectations and Responsibilities for Success

Academic success comes from authentic participation and routines in student learning—building habits and through regular pattern and cadence of instruction. All students are expected to participate with legitimate authenticity and establish regular and punctual attendance along with the timely submission of assignments to maximize teaching and learning of fundamental and required concepts.

All stakeholders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic and personal integrity. If a student engages in academic dishonesty disciplinary action shall be aligned with the NYCDOE Citywide Standards of Intervention and Discipline Measures (Grades 6-12): The Discipline Code 🔗. Student submission/completion of assignments after a semester scoring period shall not be accepted.

Artificial Intelligence Usage

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in any form is prohibited for all course assignments and will be treated as conscious academic dishonesty and addressed using the NYCDOE Citywide Standards of Intervention and Discipline Measures (Grades 6-12): The Discipline Code unless its use is required and in compliance with department policy.

More information regarding the NYCDOE's Guidance and Usage of Artificial Intelligence is available 🔗.

Calendar of Classes

New York City has published a calendar of instructional days, holidays, and parental conferences 🔗.  Students are expected to attend in-person each day a class session is scheduled.

Fall Semester Scoring Periods

Marking Period 1 Grade Report - October 21, 2026

Midterm Growth Assessment Administration - November 12 and 13, 2026

Marking Period 2 Progress Grade Report - December 2, 2026

Final Growth Assessment Administration - January 21 and 22, 2026

Marking Period 3 Progress Grade Report - January 29, 2027

Semester Course Grade Report - February 1, 2027

Grades

Grades are a reflection of students’ understanding and command of content, their progression through a course or subject, and their proficiency of skills at a given point in time.  All appropriate stakeholders that have access can monitor progress throughout a Marking Period by viewing unofficial grades and marks through the school's use of an online learning management system known as Jupiter Ed 🔗. 

Marking periods are intervals during a course when the teacher of record awards an interim mark, which provide status updates to students, families, and other stakeholders. Report card grades are indications of students’ progress toward proficiency of the courses’ learning standards at a given point in time. These are grades that do not appear on the transcript. Report card grades for this course are cumulative. They are also often called marking period grades, of which there are three per term. Final grades (marks) are given at the end of the term, representing the work students completed over the course. Final grades reflect the ultimate level of proficiency at the end of the course, as of that point in time and are cumulative. The final grade may also confer credit(s) because this course is credit bearing. The teacher of record determines the final mark in accordance with the school’s grading policies and the City and State’s academic policies.

Student grades are grounded in equity, accuracy, and the social-emotional well-being of students. It is also based on how well students demonstrate understanding of the subject matter, concepts, content, and skills addressed in this course. At High School of Economics & Finance, terms are divided into two semesters. This course is a one term course.

Grading is a measure of student progress in meeting and exceeding the New York State Learning and Performance Standards. Grades are arrived at uniformly in this course for all students based on student demonstration of learning on summative assessments. All grades will be based on a variety of summative assessments given at regular intervals over the course of each term. Summative assessments are those tasks which are administered after students have been given multiple forms of formative assessment tasks and have had the opportunity to receive actionable feedback for improvement.

Summative assessments will be given at regular intervals throughout each marking period and provide students with a variety of modalities through which to demonstrate their learning. 

Make-up summative assessments may differ in format from the original ones given.

Worked missed should be completed within the scoring period it was assigned. Completion of assignments after a semester scoring period shall not exceed 20 aidable days as deemed necessary by school administration, without exception.

Late submission of any summative assignment may be accepted with a penalty of up to 15%, time permitting. 

A student's final course grade will be recorded to the official academic record at the conclusion of the semester term. If needed, Academic Intervention Services will be offered in accordance with and in compliance of New York State's Education Department Guidelines for Implementing Academic Services 🔗.

Score Calculation

Students can demonstrate competency of the New York State Common Core Social Studies 9-12 Framework 🔗 standards by earning a minimum cumulative passing average (65) during the term to earn course credit.

In compliance with High School of Economics & Finance's grading policy, a student's final course grade shall be rounded on the following scale 55, 65, 70, 75, 80 through 100 and will be recorded to the official academic record at the conclusion of the term. The teacher assigned will determine a student’s grade using the following summative weighted categories of Examination (40%), Engagement (40%), and Reflection (20%). Formative assignments for informational purposes shall not be scored.

Academic Intervention Services (AIS)

AIS is offered to provide supports and means for a student to meet missed standards. Any AIS is offered in accordance with and in compliance of New York States's Education Department Guidelines for Implementing Academic Services and the New York City Department of Education Academic Policy Guide 🔗.

Students that do not meet the minimum standard for a passing score may be assigned AIS on an as needed basis throughout a scoring period. Any student that has missed meeting a standard within a grading period must meet with their assigned teacher for the purpose of receiving (AIS).  

The administration will inform the family about the services the student will receive, the reason why the student needs these services and the consequences if the student does not meet expected performance levels. The school must also notify parents or guardians when it terminates AIS for a student. Schools do not need parent permission to start or to end AIS. 

For AIS services in a student’s identified area of need, instruction supplementary to what is occurring in the classroom will be provided. Along with choosing the specific content of additional instruction, the teacher assigned, or school administration may choose to differentiate the intensity of AIS by changing the length and/or frequency of sessions, as well as the group size.

Regular progress monitoring is a part of the AIS program and the teacher assigned will keep records of interventions used and student academic growth. The parent/guardian will be notified and updated regularly on a student's progress through an online grading system selected by the administration. Additionally, the teacher assigned will communicate progress to the parent or guardian at least once per semester.

Any AIS for this course, regardless of its weighted category, will take place within a regularly scheduled school day, unless administration provides an additional service to those being offered by the teacher assigned.

Office Hours

Room 933F

Monday 8:20 AM to 9:00 AM

Fridays 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (by appointment)

Record-Keeping and Period Attendance Rules

Student attendance shall be recorded in the official record for each session that the course section meets. Find out more information regarding school attendance 🔗 posted by NYCDOE.

Attendance may not be factored into a student’s grade. Attending and engaging in class, and demonstrating understanding are all essential components of student learning. When students attend school consistently, they have the greatest opportunity to make progress, receive support to demonstrate their learning. Students’ grades must reflect the extent to which they have met the learning outcomes for their courses.

Emergency Readiness

In the event that an emergency occurs while in school rest assured that the school has emergency procedures🔗 that aim to keep everyone safe. More information about NYCDOE Emergency Readiness is available 🔗 .

Remote Instruction

In the event that public school buildings must close due to an emergency or other event, students will participate in remote learning. Remote Instruction is declared by the New York City Department of Education. It is not decided by the instructor or student.

Students can access all the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) technology platforms they will need for remote learning through their NYCPS account.

To participate in remote learning, students will need access to a computer, laptop, or iPad that can connect to the internet. Students can request a NYCPS-loaned device from the school. More information and guidance on how to get started using a loaned device is available. 🔗 

Contacting Students and Families

The instructor will contact students and families will be contacted through Jupiter Ed, digital classroom chat/messaging and/or the instructor's professional NYC DOE account. It is expected that a student/family contact the instructor using Jupiter Ed or digital classroom chat/messaging.

Video Conferencing and Chat Etiquette

Synchronous learning sessions using video/audio conferencing on platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Google Classroom, or NYCDOE Zoom are not required at this time but is subject to change.

In the event of a synchronous remote instruction session, students are expected to conduct themselves by traditional classroom norms.

Sharing of Student Work, Information, and Location

Students that wish to share their work with other must comply with the same rules as in person learning.

• Students must submit a completed media consent form 🔗 for any student images, videos, or work that are posted

• Student responses—whether via chat or through submitted work—must be:

  • Treated with respect within the classroom

  • Shared only to support student growth and development

• Student locations—geolocations, street signs, or other clearly identifiable landmarks—are not to be included in pictures or videos

• Backgrounds need to be blurred or cropped to protect privacy

• Never share any other types of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) like grades, student account names, contact info—even handwriting