GenerationNation

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
Civic literacy
• Government, law, democracy, leadership

Civic skills (life skills)
• Civic leadership and participation
• Problem-solving
• Reading/analyzing information
• Clearly communicating a position
• Making good decisions
• Discussing issues with civility


Essential for workplace
Many Mecklenburg County top 20 employers
are government or public agencies
• Federal, local and state government
• Hospitals, universities, government agencies

 Remainder are in industries regulated by
government, impacted by public policy/legislation
- Energy - Retail
- Finance - Telecommunications
- Healthcare - Transportation

Kids need to learn more
 Less than 25% of students are proficient
– Examples of skills demonstrated by students performing at this level:
• Grade 4 - Identify the purpose of the U.S. Constitution
• Grade 8 - Recognize 1 role performed by the Supreme Court
• Grade 12 - Identify the effect of U.S. foreign policy in the world

 Less than 5% have advanced knowledge
– Examples of skills demonstrated by students performing at this level:
• Grade 4 - Explain 2 ways countries can deal with shared problems
• Grade 8 - Name 2 actions citizens can take to lobby Congress
• Grade 12 - Compare U.S. and foreign citizenship requirements

Source: 2010 National Civics Assessment (NAEP)


Barriers to civic learning

Education trends
– Focus on testing and STEM education

Budget cuts
– Fewer school, community resources available

Learning opportunity gaps
– Differences in access and instruction


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


GenerationNation
 Helps students in school
– Supports K-12 goals: Common Core, history, civics, more
– Programs impact 5,000 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
– Builds 21st century knowledge and skills
– 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
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 teens
– Local government
– Community issues
– Civic leadership
– Budget process
– Public service LOCAL GOVERNMENT
– Media and digital literacy Students learn about CMS, city and
county leaders, policies and budgets and
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
• Standards-based: aligned with state and district goals
• Interdisciplinary activities about leadership, civic
participation, government, law, critical-thinking,
decision-making, more
Learning Center, Classroom Resource Library

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
Financial and volunteer investments
– Provide current programs to meet 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


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

GenerationNation

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