Title Page & Abstract
An Interview with Jason Artman
Part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Education is Key – Civics Education Oral History project
Interview # ECE-A-L-2019-072
Jason Artman, a high school social studies teacher who trains Illinois teachers on the Illinois civics mandate, was interviewed on the date listed below as part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library’s Education is Key – Civics Education Oral History project.
Interview dates & location:
Date: Oct. 7, 2019 Location: Mendota, Illinois High School
Interview Format: Digital audio
Interviewer: Philip Pogue, ALPL volunteer
Transcription by: _________________________
Edited by: _______________________________
Total Pages: ______ Total Time: 1:31 / 1.52 hrs.
Accessioned into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Archives on November 27, 2019
The interview is archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.
© 2019 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Abstract
Jason Artman, Education is Key – Civics, ECE-A-L-2019-072
Biographical Information/Overview of Interview: Jason Artman was born in DeKalb, Illinois in August 1973. He graduated from Streator High School in 1991, where he was active in wrestling and cross country as well as the Key Club. He graduated from Illinois State University earning a BS in Mass Communication in 1995. In 2000 he earned a BS in Social Science Education from Illinois State University, and in 2005 he obtained an MA degree in teaching and leadership from St. Xavier University in Chicago. Jason began his teaching career at Streator Woodland. In 2002 he joined the faculty at Mendota High School, teaching social studies. At the time of the interview Jason was the head of the department. Jason has been an Illinois Civic Mission Coalition Regional Mentor since 2016. He is also an instructional coach and was selected as a state civics education trainer for middle school teachers. Jason was a co-author and facilitator of two courses through the Illinois State University ONLINEIMPACT program.
Artman examined how civics education, a state required high school semester course, is being taught at Mendota High School. Although Mendota High School already had a required American government course prior to passage of Illinois’s Civics Education law, Jason discusses some of the modifications that were made to the course, including service learning, the use of simulations, and the teaching of controversial subjects. He talked about some of these service projects in detail, including voter registration, Veteran Day Activities, and oral history collections of families who had lost loved ones in wars from WW II to Afghanistan. The role of news literacy, although not required in the Civics Education law, is also reviewed. Artman discussed the three year training program for the state’s civics teachers. Service learning was one of the biggest concerns for schools, as was concern about the cost to implement the new mandate. He reviewed the change in high school social studies standards (less restrictive and more skilled base), the interdisciplinary approach used at Mendota HS (English, Art, Music, Social Studies), and types of controversial topics being discussed. Finally, Artman discussed upcoming challenge of implementing civics education into middle schools by 2020.
Subject Headings/Key Words: Mendota (Illinois) High School; civics education as mandated by Illinois state law; teaching controversial topics; state of Illinois social studies standards; service Learning projects; interdisciplinary teaching with the English, music and art Departments; news literacy; community Service projects
Notes to the Reader: Readers of the oral history memoir should bear in mind that this is a transcript of the spoken word, and that the interviewer, interviewee and editor sought to preserve the informal, conversational style that is inherent in such historical sources. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is not responsible for the factual accuracy of the memoir, nor for the views expressed therein. We leave these for the reader to judge.
COPYRIGHT
The following material can be used for educational and other non-commercial purposes without the written permission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. “Fair use” criteria of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 must be followed. These materials are not to be deposited in other repositories, nor used for resale or commercial purposes without the authorization from the Audio-Visual Curator at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. Telephone (217) 785-7955