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Exemplar 2

Choices for the 21st Century Education Program
(Choices Foundation)

Choices for the 21st Century Education Program is a national education initiative that is used extensively in Illinois high schools. Choices provides curriculum resources and professional development designed to engage students at the secondary level in substantive deliberation on contested international issues—current and historical—from multiple perspectives.

Choices’ curricular materials and pedagogical approach empower young people with the skills, habits and knowledge necessary to be engaged citizens who are capable of addressing international issues through thoughtful public discourse and informed decision-making. At the center of each printed unit is a framework of alternative policy options that challenges students to consider multiple perspectives and to think critically about the issue at hand. All units include readings and detailed lesson plans. More than 30 titles are currently in print. A variety of digital resources and activities are available at www.choices.edu and are aligned with print materials. Digital resourcesinclude Scholars Online video interviews with scholars and Teaching with the News lessons that connect the content of the classroom to the headlines in the news.

Choices materials are integrated into a range of social studies courses, including U.S. history, world history, international relations, American studies, government and current issues courses. Choices materials meet the state’s standards for social studies education.

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Exemplar 2 Choices for the 21st Century Education Program