that Maryland youth are given the opportunity to provide feedback and recommendations regarding public policies and programs that affect their future and to take a leadership role in creating meaningful change. Louisiana’s Commission on Civic Education’s mission is to educate students about the importance of civic engagement and promote collaboration amongst civic organizations in the state. It appoints youth members to the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council to “examine and facilitate communication between youth and their legislators on issues of importance to teens.”
PARTICIPATION AND SIMULATIONS IN DEMOCRATIC EXPERIENCES
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The California secretary of state conducts two designated high school voter education weeks annually in April and September. In 2014, Louisiana extended their automatic preregistration system for youth under the age of 18 through HB 501. Each driver’s license application serves as an application for voter registration unless the applicant opts out or fails to sign the form. SB 1134 makes Texas one of many states that allow students to serve as poll workers or election clerks. California Elections Code section 12302 allows county elections officials to assign up to five high school students to serve as poll workers in each election precinct. Student poll workers learn firsthand how elections are run, and provide much needed support at polling place locations. They end their day with a better understanding of the importance of voting and the vital role poll workers play in making our elections run smoothly.
Many schools encourage students to participate in actual or simulated democratic processes and procedures. Participatory experiences, ranging from mock trials to voting and online civics games, engage students both inside and outside the classroom. State departments of education frequently offer resources and recommend stand-alone civics programs, such as We the People mock congressional hearings and Kids Voting and Youth Court, that provide important simulation experiences.
Measure Y1 was placed on the ballot in 2017 by the Berkeley (California) City Council and allows youth aged 16 and 17 years old to vote for the local office of school director.
Oklahoma HB 2052 expands character education options, including awarding grants to align character education with state curriculum and demonstrate the link to life skills and career readiness. The bill requires the state department to make available a list of approved research-based character education programs, curricula and materials that may be used by school districts.
Teenagers 16-17 years old in Takoma Park and Hyattsville, Maryland, have the right to vote in local contests. Early evidence from Takoma Park indicates the success of city youth voting efforts. In the 2013 election, the turnout of the newly enfranchised voters was double the turnout of voters older than 18, and 72 percent of voters surveyed post-election supported the new lower voting age.
Utah HB 327 directs the state board of education to annually report to the education committee the methods used and the results achieved to instruct and prepare students to become informed and responsible citizens through an integrated character and civic education curriculum taught in connection with regular school work.
Policymakers in Schools
the council of state governments
In 2015, Arkansas passed HCR 1008 designating September as Take Your Legislator to School Month, encouraging school districts to plan special events with their local legislators. Having legislators directly interact with students