Chiesman Center for Democracy Civic Education Programs Kids Voting South Dakota

Chiesman Center for DemocracyCivic Education ProgramsKids Voting South Dakota

BRIEF OVERVIEW Presented by:

DeVee Dietz, Director

Civic Education Program Opportunities:Kids Voting South Dakota

Kids Voting USA

South Dakota Project Citizen Center for Civic Education

Representative Democracy in America Center for Civic Education

South Dakota Youth Congress USD W.O. Farber Center and USD School of Law

We the People Housed through the SD Humanities Council Center for Civic Education

Chiesman Center For Democracy, Inc. 2

Website – home page www.chiesman.org

CitizenshipDefined

School District Vision, Mission Statement, Goals

What are you doing?

What is working? What is not working?

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Kids Voting South Dakota “Keeping Democracy Alive”

Vote November 2, 2010!

Chris Nelson, Secretary of State

“I am convinced that Kids Voting is the most effective program for teaching the next generation of voters the importance of

informed participation.”

2008 Chiesman Center For Democracy, Inc. 6

The Democratic Challenge “For Democracies to succeed, a

nation’s young people must be prepared and willing to take their place as active, engaged citizens”

Source: “Transforming Students Into Active Stewards of Democracy:” A Report on the U.S.-U.K Seminar on Political Literacy and Service Learning, Education Commission of the States, 2005

2008 7Chiesman Center For Democracy, Inc.


Voting By Age… Presidential Elections Years-1988-2004

Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration: US. Census Bureau

Age 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004

18-24 36.2% 42.8% 32.4% 32.3% 41.9%

25-44 54.0% 58.3% 49.2% 49.8% 52.2%

45-64 67.9% 70.0% 64.4% 64.1% 66.6%

65+ 68.8% 70.1% 67.0% 67.6% 68.9%

CIRCLE, June 2008 www.civicyouth.org

• In 1988 three Arizona businessmen took a fishing trip to Costa Rica. While vacationing, they had some conversations with local people and fishermen and came to discover that the country had nearly a 98% voter turnout, which they attributed largely to a program where students learned voter education and civic engagement skills in the classroom, with a strong family tie-in in which students went to the polls with their parents.

• When these men returned to the United States, and their home state of Arizona, they started the Kids Voting program.

2008 10Chiesman Center For Democracy, Inc.


History of Kids Voting South Dakota In 1992, Kids Voting first came to South Dakota as

part of a nationwide pilot project. In that first year, approximately 5,000 Aberdeen students participated in the program, and brought their parents with them to the polls on Election Day.

Since that time, the program has grown to a turnout of just under 80,000 students in the November 2008 election. This dramatic increase in such a short period of time can only be attributed to the hard work and dedication of South Dakota teachers, the community volunteers, sponsors that support the program, and South Dakota students.


Kids Voting South DakotaKids Voting South Dakota is a project of the Chiesman

Center For Democracy and an affiliate of Kids Voting USA.

Kids Voting USA is a national non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots program in which students in grades K-12 throughout the United States study portions of Kids Voting USA’s Citizenship Activities Guide and then have the opportunity to vote on Election Day for the same candidates and issues as the adult voters

For the 2010 election, many South Dakota students will be voting for their 2nd, 3rd, or even the 12th time!

Former U.S. Senator, Tom Daschle“Kids Voting is a wonderful program that helps develop

civic pride and responsibility in today's students, who are

tomorrow's leaders…(It) is critical to continuing the long,

proud tradition of our state's heavy voter participation in

elections, and to teaching young people that the freedom to

vote in a democratic society is a treasure that few people in

the world enjoy. Perhaps several students today

will be spurred to run for office one day by the fun they had,

and the lessons they earned, through Kids Voting. I strongly

support Kids Voting South Dakota, and I hope you do, too."2008 Chiesman Center For Democracy, Inc. 13

What does Kids Voting do?Educates K-12 students about

Citizenship

Civic participation

Government

Election process


How does Kids Voting work?Students explore the right to vote,

democracy and active citizenship through:

Standards-based classroom lessons

Community civic activities

Interaction with public officials

Authentic election experiences 2008 Chiesman Center For Democracy, Inc. 15

Kids Voting brings civics skills to life… Civic Literacy

Understanding government and media Learning how to have a voice in the decision-making process Awareness of civic life

Civic Learning Generating interest in social studies, government, history Applying civic knowledge to other disciplines

Civic Engagement Learning the importance of voting and being involved Developing skills to be informed, participating citizens



Goals of Kids Voting South DakotaTo educate America’s K-12 youth about:

The importance of becoming an informed citizen

The responsibility of voting to sustain a democracy

Building good citizenship skills, including: decision making, willingness to compromise, self-discipline, and respect for others

Learning and developing through active participation to meet the needs of the community


Kids Voting’s ActivitiesActivities & 4 ConceptsCovers 4 Basic Covers 4 Basic

ConceptsConcepts

My Vote Gives Me Power

I Study the Candidates and Issues

I Register and I VoteI Can Continue To Make

A Difference

Includes 4 ThemesDivided by Grade Level: K-2, 3-5, Middle School, &

High School

Elections & Voting*

Democracy & the People

The Right To Vote Active CitizenshipEach theme covers:*Introduction to Theme *General Activities*Discussion Questions *Literature Connection Activity*Culminating Activity


Kids Voting In Action…


Kids Voting in Action 2008 Sioux Falls Flag Day Celebration

Kids Voting in Action 2008 Presidential Election

Research Confirms Kids VotingSouth Dakota Works! Every four years, KVSD surveys students, teachers, parents,

and volunteers to determine the effectiveness of Kids Voting in our state.* The majority of students in grades K-8 (93.2%) reported that

voting is important because it gives them choices. More than 85% of middle and high school students (grades 6-12)

plan to vote when they turn 18. Teachers and volunteers surveyed (93.9%) believe KVSD was a

success in their school district. Parents surveyed (97.1%) believe that KVSD encourages good

citizenship and civic responsibility for the participants. Communities with KVSD showed an 8-15% higher adult voter

turnout than committees without the program.

*Institute of Educational Leadership & Evaluation, 20042008 22Chiesman Center For Democracy, Inc.

New Youth Program for 2010!Teens Electing

To Impact Change

(TETIC)

Approximately 85 student leaders across South Dakota, one student from every Kids Voting South Dakota high school, will

be nominated and selected to be a delegate to TETIC, a Youth Advisory component of KVSD.

Know a student leader who is socially responsible and civically engaged?

Kids Voting South Dakota

(KVSD) Teens Electing To

Impact Change (TETIC)

Youth Advisory

Teens Electing To Impact Change participants will have the opportunity to:• Build leadership skills • Demonstrate how youth can impact change in their schools, community and state• Reflect on the foundations of democracy through a participatory role as a youth leader• Network with youth leaders across the state • Provide input, lead and implement ideas, projects and events with Kids Voting South Dakota• Keep up-to-date with candidates and ballot issues• Meet and engage with government leaders• Attend a youth leadership regional training along with a mentor teacher from their school• Disseminate vital election information to their peers• Facilitate an issues forum in their school/community on candidates and/or ballot issues• Participate in state-wide KVSD Election Kick-off Convention in Pierre• Assist in the state-wide KVSD 2010 Election

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Participant Expectations: Student leaders in TETIC will understand that civic leadership means responsible citizenship. It means being a leader who seeks knowledge of the election process, the candidates, and the issues in order to contribute their guidance to other youth about the importance of being an educated voter. TETIC leaders will develop the skills they need to make informed decisions that strengthen their connection and commitment to their school and community when it comes to civic participation. They will contribute in a constructive manner and understand that leadership is education in action for the common good.

Leaders will help other students better define and understand what it means to have an impact on society and that their vote and civic engagement is relevant and has an impact on society as a whole. TETIC will provide students with an opportunity to learn leadership skills, practice professionalism, network with other youth, contribute to the mission and goals of KVSD, and give back to their communities.

CONTACT: DeVee Dietz, KVSD Director, 1641 Deadwood Avenue, Rapid City, SD 57702, ph: (605) 341-4311, e-mail: [email protected]

Who is eligible to be nominated:

Students must be freshmen – juniors during the 2009-10 School Year and available to participate for three (3) semesters beginning January 2010 and ending June 2011.

Student qualities: ◦ Interest in and understanding the importance of the election

process ◦ Outstanding leadership and strong commitment to civic

engagement◦ Strives for the betterment of their school, community and state◦ Enthusiastic to learn, contribute and implement activities and

events in accordance with KVSD mission and goals◦ Available to attend a regional training in the spring of 2010 and

state-wide convention in the fall of 2010◦ Willingness to participate in TETIC KVSD social networking

How to qualify: One student will be nominated through their Kids Voting South Dakota site coordinator. Coordinators may collect a number of nominations from administrators, educators, and civic leaders from their school district and community. The Site Coordinator will then select one student leader nomination to be sent to the state-wide level for consideration. An alternative student may be nominated in the event that the primary delegate is unable to attend or participate. Selection should be based on the outstanding student abilities and demonstrated qualities of leadership and interest in civic engagement.

Costs: All expenses (travel, meals, supplies, etc) will be paid through the Chiesman Center for Democracy, Kids Voting South Dakota, EAC Grant.

Application for Nomination Deadline: December 1, 2009

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What’s NEW… Supplemental Materials

Kids Voting South Dakota Tribal Governments & Elections

The Tribal Elections Curriculum is designed similarly to the Kids Voting South Dakota curriculum.

It focuses on tribal government and elections.

It was created in collaboration with tribal representatives, teachers, and the Kids Voting South Dakota staff.

Tribal Governments & Elections Curriculum Design Committee

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education

Representatives of:Rosebud Sioux TribeShannon County School DistrictUnited Sioux TribesEagle ButteSouth Dakota State LegislatureKids Voting South Dakota

Rationale…Teachers wanted resources that were

relevant to tribal governments and elections.Civic responsibility expanded further than

city, county, state, and national government agencies.

Tribal councils needed to be recognized and students needed to understand their structures.


Components…Think Tribally

Around Our CommunityWhat’s for Kids?Our Community: A Role PlayOur Homes, Our Communities

Act TriballyMatch Community HelpersIf I Were a Tribal ChairpersonThings to Do On My First Day in OfficeToward a More Perfect CommunityWhat Can We Do?


Resources…John Glover, author of Tribal Sovereigns of

South Dakota

South Dakota Tribes and Councils

Teacher and Administrators

United Sioux Tribes

Books available through the Chiesman Center:Civic Education: Tribal Governments & ElectionsInstructional Lessons & Teaching Resources


What’s NEW… Supplemental Materials

LEGIS LESSONS (Legislative Education for Greater Inquiry & Study)

Designed as a component of Kids Voting South Dakota and South Dakota Project Citizen, the K -12 Lessons focus on:

U.S. Congress State Legislators and the Process of How a Bill Becomes a Law

These lessons were made possible though a US Department of Education Grant


LEGIS LESSONSThe lessons are developed for K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12

The lessons focus on six themes:

1. Government2. Leadership3. How a Bill Becomes a Law4. Relationships 5. Citizen Rights and Responsibilities6. Founding Documents/Primary Sources

K – 12 Scope and sequence with complete lessons can be

found on the Chiesman website: www.chiesman.org 2008 32Chiesman Center For Democracy, Inc.

A national program of theCenter for Civic Education

A South Dakota Project of theChiesman Center for Democracy

in cooperation with theNational Conference of State

LegislaturesSouth Dakota State Legislatures

supported by theUnited States Department of

EducationSouth Dakota Department of

Education33

What is Project Citizen?

Education for democratic citizenshipTeaches students to monitor and

influence public policyInterdisciplinary program

• Focuses on state and local government• Applies learning to real world issues• Uses cooperative learning• Serves as a model performance assessment

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Organization of TextbookProject Citizen has two process-oriented student texts:

Level 1 Designed for use in upper elementary & middle level classrooms, and youth organizations

Level 2 Designed for use in secondary, post-secondary classrooms, youth organizations, and adult groups

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Project Citizen is a process of ProblemSolving…sequence of steps:1) Entire classes of students work

cooperatively to identify a public policy problem in their school, community or state.

2) They research the problem, evaluate alternative solutions, develop their own solution in a form of a public policy and then create an action plan.

3) They display their work in a portfolio with documentation binder and present to a panel of civic-minded people.

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Portfolio and Documentation Binder

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alternative policies

problem

documentation section

class policy

action plan

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South Dakota Standard Correlations

Middle School Curriculum AlignmentSocial Studies (Civics)ReadingWritingListening, Viewing & SpeakingMathTechnology

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21st Century Learning

Partnership For 21st Century SkillsFramework for 21st Century LearningVision for student success in a new global

economyCivic Literacy in the New Century

Participating effectively in civic life Stay informed, understanding gov’t process

Exercising rights and obligations of citizenship

Understanding local & global implication of civic decisions

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Example… Sioux Falls School DistrictStudent Personal Growth Skills Goal 1: All students will improve 21st Century life skills

(i.e., analytical thinking, communicating, problem solving, creating and innovating, retrieving and evaluating information, and collaborating).

85% of drop-in classroom visits will document students acquiring and demonstrating 21st Century life skills.

Goal 3: All students will be active participants in their community.

Increase the percent of students involved in community service.

Increase the percent of students involved in co-curricular activities.

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Social Studies Content Area Philosophy:

The primary purpose of social studies is to help students make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. Social studies plays a significant role in leading students to value democratic beliefs and behavior, to understand themselves in the context of contemporary life, and to live responsibly in the global community. Social Studies prepares young people to identify, understand, and work to resolve problems that confront them, their communities, the nation, and the international community.

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Social Studies Content Area Philosophy continued…

To work effectively as citizens, students need knowledge of the emergence and development of civilizations over time and place and the role that economics, geography and civics concepts play. Students need knowledge and skills to understand and cope with change, resolve conflict, analyze issues and appreciate diversity in a representative democracy. Social studies helps students understand the human ecosystem in which all must function and its relationship to natural systems.

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Pollock School – 7th Grade - 2008Small School, Good Education ~

Should We Stay or Should We Go?

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2007 Meade Co. - Williams MS – 8th gradeZoning: Natural Rights vs. Property Rights

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STEP 6 - Reflecting on the Learning Experience

Reflection can be done alone, as a group, or entire class.

About yourself:How has the PC experience affected and

changed you personally?How has PC changed your sense of who you

are as a citizen?How has PC impacted your ability to observe,

analyze, and influence the world you live in?46

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ARTICLEProject Citizen

Sheltered Reality: Project Citizen pushes for bus shelter

in LeadBlack Hills Pioneer, April 28,

2009

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Key Findings

Students believe they can make a difference in their communities

Students do make a difference in their communities

Students develop greater understanding of public policy

Students develop greater understanding of challenges facing policymakers

Students learn how their government works

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Key Findings

Students develop a commitment to active citizenship

Students become involved in their communities

Students learn about specific community problems

Students learn to work in groupsStudents develop important research and

communication skills

Other Civic Education Opportunities:South Dakota Youth Congress An annual roundtable for high school juniors and seniors to participate in a

youth leadership experience; students deliberate a topic, make decisions, and then make recommendations or suggestions to state decision makers. They work cooperatively to develop necessary skills with practices for active participation in their school, community and state.

Representative Democracy in America A civic education and outreach project of the Alliance for Representative

Democracy. Combined curricular materials produced by the Center for Civic Education, Center on Congress at Indiana University and the National Conference ofState Legislatures that encourages Americans to play a responsible and participatory Role in their government.

We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution Center for Civic Education and

the South Dakota Humanities CouncilChiesman Center For Democracy, Inc. 50

For More Information Contact:

Chiesman Center for DemocracyDeVee Dietz, Director

Civic Education Programs1641 Deadwood Ave.Rapid City, SD 57702

(605) [email protected]