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Civic Learning in Charlotte

Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsMiddle and High School Inservice

August 22, 2011

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Objectives

IntroductionsMore than a mock voteCivics in action

• Classroom resources• Learning opportunities

How can we help?• You? Your students?

Connecting to us

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Without civic literacy,

students can’t graduate

or become effective citizens and leaders

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Civic Literacy

Definition• Understanding governmental processes • Participating effectively in civic life• Exercising the rights and obligations of citizenship

at local, state, national and global levels • Understanding the local and global implications of

civic decisions

How do governments and communities work? Why should it matter to me?

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Civic Literacy

Great tools for the classroomUnderstand what’s here and how it worksMake it relevantApply knowledge

– Local– State– Federal– Global

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Civic Literacy

Social Studies, Reading, Writing

– Connect historical events - contemporary issues

– Connect local - global issues

– Compare different forms of government

– Gather, analyze, use info from different sources

– Express perspectives in response to issues

– Informational literacy

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One organization provides

the opportunity for

K-12 civic literacy in Charlotte

Kids Voting Mecklenburg

www.kidsvoting.org | facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte | twitter.com/kidsvotingclt

More than a mock vote

1992: a mock election event

2011-12: year-long program with wider impact

– Civic education and leadership

Longtime CMS partner, other partners

– Increases K-12 classroom resources

– Increases K-12 learning opportunities

– Narrows gaps

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More than a mock vote

Helps students in school– Civics & Economics– US and World History– Middle School Social Studies and LA– K-8 Reading, Writing and Math

Builds knowledge and skills– Effective leadership and citizenship– 21st Century Skills

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Civics in Action:Our Programs & Resources

Combining classroom education and community learning opportunities is the best way to increase civic literacy and

build youth leadership skills

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Civic Education

Easy-to-use activities and resources• Available for 5,000+ local classrooms• Aligned with state and district goals• Leadership, civic participation, government,

law, critical thinking, decision making

Civic Learning Center, Classroom Resource Library, other tools

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Civic Education

21st century civic learning– Governments, issues, leaders

– Current and historic events Multi-disciplinary

– History, civics, reading, writing– Aligns civic learning to US, NC

and district goals

Age-appropriate topics– Leadership, civic participation,

economics, democracy, government, law

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Civic Education

Civic education partners• Kids Voting• Civic Education Consortium• iCivics• Civic Action Project• Newspapers in Education• Others

We connect lessons to real life– Guides aligning generic civics instruction with

our government, leaders, issues, documents

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Civic Education

How to access– Website: www.kidsvoting.org

• Classroom Resource library in education section• Civic Learning Center accessible on home page

and education section

– E-News and updates• Sign up for civic learning highlights, opportunities

– School Representative• Shares information, curriculum updates, etc.

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Civics in real life

Guides highlighting discussion questions, educational content and resources– Current Events

• Issues, news, government budgeting, policies, decisions

– Special Events• Constitution Day, Election Day, MLK Day, President’s

Day, State of the Union, Black History Month, more

– Political events• 2012 Elections and Conventions, Debates

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Teacher support

Leadership and professional development opportunities for 250+ teachers annually

• Best practices in 21st century civic learning

• Foster leadership and collaboration

• Continuing education credits, recommendations

• Connect teachers to community

Aligned to district and state objectives including teacher performance criteria

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Election Experience

Traditional “Kids Voting” programK-12 students engage in democracy

• Educates students about offices, candidates, elections and voting

• Service-learning in polling places• Voting at school, online, in polls

Community-wide participation• Over 45,000 local students in Election 2010;

over 75,000 in 2008

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Election Experience

EDUCATING FOR DEMOCRACY Using the Kids Voting ballot, students vote on real candidates and issues and develop knowledge, habits and skills

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YouthCivics

Interaction with public officials, government

Educates students– Local government– Community issues– Civic leadership– Budget process– Public service– Media and digital literacy LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Students learn about CMS, city and county leaders, policies and budgets and visit

official meetings

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YouthCivics

MEDIA LITERACY

Charlotte Observer editor Rick Thames explains the First Amendment and

how news is reported

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YouthCivics

LAW, SKILLS

Superior Court Judge Hugh Lewis assists as a student jury eagerly debates and

reaches consensus in a

mock trial

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Youth Voice/Leadership

Leadership allianceMeet regularly, in

government settingsIdentify and discuss

policies and issuesEngage with officialsBuild civic leadership,

communication skills, confidence

YOUTH CIVIC LEADERSHIP

Students discuss CMS policies with peers and Peter Gorman

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Youth Voice/Leadership

RAISING VOICES, CITIZENS AND LEADERS

Interviewing candidates for school board, mayor and

county commission on issues important to young people

At the table to discuss important policies and issues and provide a valuable youth perspective in

decision-making

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Youth Voice/Leadership

LEARNING, LEADING

Exploring civic leadership, policies and

decisions with community leaders and

through student collaboration

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Civics in Action

Civic Education PLUS

– Combines classroom learning plus real

content and/or experiences

Best way to learn

– Builds knowledge, skill, comprehension

Narrows gaps

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Helps students

Civics and Economics– Emphasis on Goals 3,4,5,6,10– Local and state government, civic involvement

US and World History– Connect historical events with current issues– Government, politics, civic involvement,

democracy

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Helps students

Grades 6-8– Connect historical events with current issues– Compare and contrast, role-play through

fictional, historical or other appropriate perspective

– Government, politics, civic responsibilities– Clear linkages to Language Arts

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Helps students

Helps students in school• Civics & Economics• US and World History• Middle School Social Studies and LA• K-8 Reading, Writing and Math

Builds knowledge and skills, civic literacy• Effective leadership and citizenship• 21st Century Skills

Narrows gaps

www.kidsvoting.org | facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte | twitter.com/kidsvotingclt

Ways to Connect

At school• School Representative

• Department Chair

Direct• Website: www.kidsvoting.org

• Sign up for email, news, updates

www.kidsvoting.org | facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte | twitter.com/kidsvotingclt

Connect

Connect to Kids Voting– Amy Farrell, Executive Director– Email: amy@kidsvoting.org– Phone: 704-343-6999– Web: www.kidsvoting.org– FB: www.facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte– Twitter: www.twitter.com/kidsvotingclt