The Excellence in Civic Education Civics Cord Program recognizes graduating high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in civic engagement, community service, academic achievement, and participation in real-world learning experiences.

Students who successfully complete all program requirements will be recognized with a graduation cord to wear during their school’s graduation activities. Explore our PowerPoint presentation with more information here.

Civics Cord Program Criteria

To qualify for a Civics Cord, students must complete all five program requirements:

1. Volunteer Community Service
2. Project-Based Learning
3. Course Work & Civics Test
4. Experiential Learning Activities
5. Written Reflection Essay

Volunteer Community Service

Students must complete twenty hours of volunteer or community service during their senior year. Appropriate documentation is required.

Volunteer Service is freely given, unpaid labor performed for charitable, educational, or public service purposes.

Volunteer Service is not performed as part of your educational requirements, attending a religious service or any activity for which you are compensated.

Project-Based Learning

Students must complete at least three Project-Based Learning (PBL) activities. These activities may be completed at any time during grades 9–12.

PBL opportunities vary by school and community. The following are examples of approved opportunities. Additional activities may be approved upon request.

Course Work & Civics Test

Students must meet both the Course Work and Civics Test requirements.

Course Work

Students must:

• Successfully complete the required civics class.
• Earn a final grade of 85% or higher in the course.

Civics Test

Students must:

• Complete a civics test provided by the West Virginia Civics Coalition.
• Earn a score of 80% or higher.
• One retake may be approved.

Experiential Learning Activities

Students must complete any two approved experiential learning activities.

Examples include:

• Tour the West Virginia State Capitol or U.S. Capitol
• Attend an event during West Virginia Civic Learning Week in March
• Attend a meeting of your city council, county commission, or school board
• Register to vote, if eligible
• Vote in a local, state, or federal election
• Serve as a poll worker
• Tour a local, county, or federal government office or agency and discuss its function
• Write or email an elected official to discuss an issue or problem
• Participate in another activity approved by the Civics Coalition

Other experiential learning activities may be approved upon request.

Written Reflection Essay

Students must complete a written assignment about their participation in the project-based and experiential learning activities and their community service.

Prompt: Discuss how these programs and experiences have helped you to better understand the importance of your involvement in community, state, and national activities. The essay must be a minimum of two typed pages (12 font size or smaller, double-spaced, 1 inch margins) or three handwritten pages.

The essays will be read by a team of West Virginia Civics Coalition members. Though they are not graded, a rubric will be utilized to determine pass/fail. This rubric is available to teachers and students here.

Completion of Requirements & Record Keeping

Please use the Record of Activities to document your community service, project-based learning, and experiential learning activities. The Record of Activities can be printed from here.

The Record of Activities and Reflection Essay must be completed and submitted by April 1, 2027.

The teacher should complete the section verifying student grade at that time. Should the grade drop below 85% between this time and graduation, the teacher shall notify the West Virginia Civics Coalition and eligibility would be reevaluated.

The completed Record of Activities and Reflection Essay can be submitted via an online portal (to be provided) or can be scanned/pictures taken and then emailed to patdwv555@gmail.com.

The Civics Coalition will provide the teacher with a link to the Civics Test. Students must score 80% or higher; there is an option to retake the test one additional time, if needed. Upon request, a new test link will be provided to the teacher.

Upon verification of requirements, cords will be sent/delivered to the Civics teacher or school administrator for each eligible student.

It is imperative the requirements are completed in a timely manner as indicated to assure the cords reach the eligible students prior to each school’s graduation activities.

Questions & Registration of Interest

If you have any questions about this program or would like to submit your interest in participating please contact Pat Dillon at patdwv555@gmail.com. Please include your name, school, position, and contact information when emailing your interest in the program.