Educate Students Through Hands-On Civic Learning

Why educate and engage students to
succeed - and lead - in their schools,
communities and nation?

www.GenerationNation.org | facebook.com/GenerationNation | twitter.com/GenNation

“Today’s students are
tomorrow’s leaders.
Giving them a strong foundation in
civic values is critical to the vitality
of America’s democracy and
economy of the 21st century”.

- US Department of Education
6th graders view city from mayor’s office
Secretary Arne Duncan


Students need to learn
The how, what, when, why and where of civic life

Ways their governments
and communities work

That citizens and leaders
can work together
Teens weigh in on city, county and CMS
priorities at the Youth Leadership Summit to make a difference


Civic learning
Helps students succeed in school, graduate
– Public school graduation requirements
– Civics & Economics, US History
– Civics has multiple applications
– Reading, writing, science, history, math, other subjects
– Student civic leadership

 Civic knowledge = life skills
– Used daily throughout adulthood
– Our future citizens, employees, leaders

Today’s students

Studies show: students aren’t learning
– American students know less about civics and history
than they do about math, English or science.
– More can name the American Idol judges than the 3
branches of government.
– Across all demographics, students know even less
about local and state government.

And it’s not their fault…

Barriers to learning
Education trends
– Focus on testing and STEM education

Budget cuts
– Fewer school, community resources available

Learning opportunity gaps
– Differences in access and instruction


Big picture?
K-12 civic education impacts everyone
• Now and in the future
Political climate
• Becoming increasingly divisive in our schools,
communities and nation – and students are watching
Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders
• A young generation needs to learn about government,
civic participation, leadership


GenerationNation
Providing the opportunity for K-12 civic education in Charlotte


GenerationNation

 Helps students in school
– Supports K-12 goals: history, civics, reading, writing and more
– Programs impact 7,500 classrooms, support academic
achievement and narrow learning gaps
 Builds civic literacy through educational experiences
– Directly engages over 100,000 Charlotte-area students in
smart, fun, hands-on learning opportunities
 Develops effective citizens and leaders
– Increases 21st century learning
– Develops skills used for a lifetime

GenerationNation

Formerly known as Kids Voting Mecklenburg
• Annual mock voting event
• Launched in 1992 by civic leaders
Now: wider impact and vision
• Civic learning throughout the year
• Government, citizenship, leadership
K-12 civic education, engagement, leadership
• Charlotte area and beyond


GenerationNation

Effective and efficient organization
501(c)3 nonprofit
Funding
• Grants
• Corporate contributions and business sponsorships
• Individual gifts
• In-kind donations
• Not a United Way or ASC agency

90% Programming, 10% Operating


GenerationNation
1,000 volunteers contribute 7,500+ hours
– Active, hands-on Board of Directors
Partnerships and collaborations
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Charlotte Observer
• Partners in Out-of-School Time
• UNC School of Govt/NC Civic Education Consortium
• Local governments
• Nonprofits, youth programs, non-public schools
Education, youth, government, business,
community advisors

Civics in Action
Combines classroom education with learning experiences
for comprehension and impact. It’s the best way for students to learn,
increase civic literacy and build leadership!


YouthCivics

 Interaction with public
officials, government,
civic affairs
 Educates, engages
students
– Local government
– Community issues
– Civic leadership
– Budget process
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
– Public service Students learn about CMS, city and
county leaders, policies and budgets and
– Media and digital literacy see civics in action

YouthCivics

MEDIA LITERACY
Charlotte Observer
editor Rick Thames
explains the First
Amendment and how
news is reported


YouthCivics

LAW, SKILLS
Superior Court
Judge Hugh
Lewis assists as
a student jury
eagerly debates
and reaches
consensus in a
mock trial


Youth Voice/Leadership

 Diverse leadership alliance
 Students meet regularly with
officials, civic leaders
 Collaboratively identify and
discuss policies and issues;
solution-based approach
 Build civic leadership,
communication skills,
confidence
 Use technology to increase
teen access, engagement in YOUTH CIVIC LEADERSHIP
civic affairs Students discuss CMS policies with peers
and civic leaders



RAISING VOICES, CITIZENS AND LEADERS
Interviewing candidates for At the table to discuss important
school board, mayor and county policies and issues and provide a
commission on issues important valuable youth perspective in
to young people decision-making



LEARNING,
LEADING
Exploring civic
leadership, policies
and decisions with
community leaders
and through
student
collaboration


Kids Voting Election

 Annual K-12 mock election
– Non-partisan, educational
 Students engage in democracy
– Learn about offices, candidates,
elections and voting
– Service-learning
 Community-wide participation
– 32,000+ in local Election 2011
– 75,000+ in Election 2008


Election Experience
EDUCATING FOR DEMOCRACY Students vote on real candidates and issues;
develop knowledge, habits and skills


Election Experience


Civic Education
GenerationNation partners with, is housed at
CMS for district-wide involvement and impact
• Programs available to all public and non-public schools,
home schools, after school and youth programs
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, more
Learning Center, Classroom Resource Library

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


Civic Education
Curriculum partners, experts in the field
• NC Civic Education Consortium
• Newspapers in Education
• C-SPAN
• iCivics
• Kids Voting USA
Locally-developed educational tools using
real-life government, civic affairs, news,
policies, technology, digital media, case study


Teacher support

Leadership and professional development
opportunities for 500+ teachers annually
• Best practices in 21st century civic learning
• Foster leadership and collaboration
• Continuing education credits, recommendations
• Connects teachers to community, leadership

Aligned to district and state objectives including
teacher performance criteria


We’re educating students and
building leaders
And there’s still work to be done!


Why help GenerationNation?

Give Charlotte’s students the advantage
of K-12 civic education
Your financial and volunteer investments
– Provide current programs to meet the increasing
needs of schools, students and the Charlotte area
– Support special projects related to Charlotte’s once-
in-a-lifetime civic learning opportunity in 2012
– Build our capacity and fuel our growth


Charlotte in 2012
2012 is the ideal time to engage students in
civic learning and leadership!
A once-in-lifetime opportunity for Charlotte’s
K-12 students to see, and experience,
government, leadership and civics in action
• GenerationNation is offering exciting nonpartisan programs and
activities to educate and impact over 100,000 K-12 students, and
the adults around them, in Charlotte plus region, NC and US
• Partnership opportunities available to meet your organization’s
educational, community relations, marketing or philanthropic goals


How you can help

 Connect your school or organization
 Volunteer to help us educate students and
build young civic leaders, or serve on a
committee or the Board of Directors
 Invest critical financial or in-kind resources
to make K-12 civic education a reality for
Charlotte’s students


Connect

 GenerationNation
– 704-343-6999
– info@generationnation.org
– www.generationnation.org
– www.facebook.com/generationnation
– www.linkedin.com/company/generationnation
– www.twitter.com/GenNation
 Leadership
– Julian Wright, Chair
– Amy Farrell, Executive Director

Educate Students Through Hands-On Civic Learning

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Educate Students Through Hands-On Civic Learning