The Student Voices Project - Pennsylvania 2004-2005
What is Student Voices?
The Student Voices Project is a national civic education initiative of the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania. The project was created to address the problems of declining political participation and non-voting by young people in America. The goal is to help young people become informed about government, elections, and policy issues so that they may understand and appreciate the value of being part of the political process.
What do Student Voices students do?
In the fall of 2004, students in Pennsylvania will follow political campaigns for statewide and local offices, researching the issues facing their communities and how the candidates are addressing them. In the spring of 2005, students will examine how issues that concern them are addressed by the executive and legislative branches of local and statewide governments. Students will research local policy issues by logging on to their own Student Voices website, at http://student-voices.org/pennsylvania. Here students can read daily news coverage of their municipality or state government; locate their elected officials; vote in "click polls;" and engage in online discussions of current policy issues. Students will also have the opportunity to raise their concerns with public officials and candidates.
Who will take part in Pennsylvania Student Voices?
The Pennsylvania Student Voices curriculum and website will be made available to high school students and teachers throughout Pennsylvania. The project will also select 100 teachers to participate in a professional development workshop June 23rd - 24th at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. At this workshop, educational consultants will work with teachers to help them incorporate the Student Voices civics education model and website into their social studies, history, government, or other relevant curricula. Teachers who are accepted for the training will receive:
- A $500 honorarium for participating in the training and implementing the curriculum
- A $500 Learn and Serve America grant through the Pa. Department of Education for service learning projects connected to the Student Voices project
- One or two night stay, depending on distance traveled, at the Holiday Inn Historic District located two blocks from the National Constitution Center
- Continental breakfast and lunch for two days, and dinner the first night
- Curriculum materials, including teacher's guides and all student materials
- The opportunity to participate in the taping of Justice Talking, the award-winning National Public Radio show (taping takes place June 23rd, the first day of the training)
- Complimentary passes to the interactive show and exhibits at the NCC
Teachers must apply for the June training, by writing to: Pennsylvania Student Voices, Annenberg Public Policy Center, 3620 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. They may also send an email to PaStudentVoices@aol.com or go to the website, http://www.student-voices.org/pennsylvania. Teachers who cannot attend the June training but are interested in following the Student Voices curriculum should also contact us at the above email/address.
Who funds Student Voices?
The national Student Voices Project is funded by the Annenberg Foundation. Pennsylvania Student Voices is supported through a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
For more information
You may also wish to contact:
Jacqueline Boulden, 215-901-8673, jbbwriter@aol.com
Dr. Phyllis Kaniss, 215-898-5233, pkaniss@asc.upenn.edu
