State Rep. Sean Garballey, Democrat of Arlington, has been appointed to a special commission on civic engagement and learning. "Improving participatory democracy and awareness among young people is extremely important to me as a state representative, and I am honored to have been selected," Garballey said in a news release.

The commission plans to investigate and study of the status of civic engagement and learning in the commonwealth including, but limited to:

1.) An assessment of the status of civic engagement in Massachusetts from kindergarten through high school and undergraduate college education; including an assessment of the civic knowledge of graduates of the public high schools of the commonwealth.

2.) An investigation of the opportunities available to Bay State students for service learning that develops an understanding of the relationship of those experiences with democratic government and a review of programs that teach civic engagement knowledge and skills that are essential in the development of active citizens.

3.) An assessment of best practices in civic education in the United States that could serve as models for improving civic engagement and learning in the Commonwealth.

4.) An assessment of the implementation of the history and social studies curriculum frameworks by the department of education and the school districts of the commonwealth, including recommendations for the development and assessment of practical skills for civic engagement that, are complementary to the knowledge based aspects of the frameworks.

The commission plans to conduct public hearings appropriate to gathering information and to raising the civic awareness of the people of Massachusetts, including the sponsorship of one or more statewide or regional conferences involving educators, students, or the public at large.

"I am looking forward to engaging educators, students, parents, and all interested citizens in the Town of Arlington and the City of Medford in working to improve civic engagement and learning throughout our Commonwealth," he said.