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California Local Government — Reading Comprehension

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D2.CIV.1.3-5
D2.CIV.2.3-5
RI.4.3
RI.4.4
W.4.2

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This engaging U.S. History reading passage introduces students to the roles of city and county governments in California, explaining how these local governments help communities. Students will learn about the responsibilities of mayors, city councils, and county supervisors, as well as how they work to solve problems and make important decisions. The passage uses a clear, chronological structure to show how city and county governments were formed and how they operate today. Key vocabulary words are highlighted and explained in a glossary to support literacy development. Activities include a multiple-choice quiz, writing prompts, a timeline, and a graphic organizer for deeper understanding. This resource aligns with C3 and Common Core standards and includes a Spanish translation and read aloud audio, making it accessible for diverse learners. Perfect for building foundational knowledge of civic systems and California history, this passage helps students connect the past to their own local communities.

CONTENT PREVIEW

"Los Angeles City Council, 1989" by Los Angeles Police Department.
Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

California local government is made up of counties, cities, and special districts. These groups help run our communities and provide important public services. Local government affects our daily lives even more than state or national government.

California has 58 counties. Each county covers a large area and includes many cities and towns. County governments make sure people have access to services like health clinics, libraries, and sheriff departments. The county board of supervisors leads each county. They make big decisions for the area, like how money is spent and what rules are needed.

Cities, also called municipalities, are smaller than counties. Each city has its own mayor and city council. They make choices about parks, trash pickup, fixing roads, and police and fire departments. For example, the city of Los Angeles makes rules just for people living in Los Angeles, while the county government helps all the cities in Los Angeles County.

Sometimes, there are jobs that one city or county cannot do alone. That is where special districts help. A special district is a group created to do one job, like running schools, water service, or public transportation. For example, a school district takes care of all the public schools in an area, while a water district makes sure people get clean water.

Local governments also collect taxes to pay for these services. People vote to choose their local leaders. This means everyone in the community has a voice in what happens.

Local government helps keep people safe, healthy, and happy. They solve problems, make rules, and work to improve life for everyone. When you go to a park, drink clean water, or ride a school bus, you are using local government services.

Interesting Fact: The first county in California was created in 1850, right after California became a state.

How many counties does California have?

581010025

Who leads a county government?

County board of supervisorsMayorGovernorPolice chief

What is a special district?

Group for one jobA large cityA county leaderA police station

Why do counties and cities collect taxes?

Pay for servicesBuild housesHelp other countriesBuy cars

What do city councils do?

Make local rulesGrow foodTeach classesFix computers

Who chooses local leaders?