Many civic education programs focus on generating civically engaging classroom experiences, and these are very important. But what structures and systems exist at the school district level to support youth civic engagement? How can districts foster a "civic ecosystem" that encourages youth voice and activism - and leverages these assets to enhance the district's culture?
Professor Beth Rubin of Rutgers University has been working closely with administrators and teachers in New Brunswick Public Schools on the Civically Engaged Districts Project. This project, supported by the Spencer Foundation, aims to foster youth civic inquiry about authentic local challenges and to engage administrators, teachers, and students in addressing these challenges.
This episode features Dr. Rubin and three district leaders from New Brunswick Public Schools who have worked on the Project, including Dr. Aubrey Johnson (Superintendent), Dr. Marnie McKoy (former Human Resources Director), and Dr. Lennox Small (Humanities Curriculum Supervisor).
Part 2 of this series will feature students and teachers who have been involved in the project. Please check it out!
Resources Related to the Civically Engaged Districts Project:
Civically Engaged Districts Projects Website
Youth Participatory Action Research Hub (curricular resources)
Youth Engaged in Leadership and Learning (YELL) Curriculum Guide
Related Articles by Beth Rubin:
Towards a Civically Relevant Civics Education (in TRSE)
Confronting the Urban Civic Opportunity Gap (in JTE)
Navigating Y-PAR in the Classroom (Curriculum Inquiry)
ESD Podcast Resources:
Education for Sustainable Democracy Site
Brett Levy's Open Access Research Articles
Prior ESD Episodes on Y-PAR:
Students Addressing Public Issues through Action Civics, with Scott Warren (Generation Citizen)
Youth Exploring Issues & Taking Action, with Jill Bass (Mikva Challenge)