The Civically Engaged Districts Project - Part 1, with Prof. Beth Rubin (Rutgers University) and District Administrators (New Brunswick Public Schools)
12/07/21 • 51 min
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)
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)
Previous Episode
A Congressional Bill to Strengthen Civic Education, with Cat McDonald (DC Lobbyist for Civic Ed)
Will the federal government support a comprehensive civic education bill? The Civics Secures Democracy Act is a Congressional proposal to support civic education with about one billion dollars annually over five years. Currently the bill has sponsors from both major parties, but it is not without detractors.
In this episode, Cat McDonald, the lead lobbyist for the bill, tells us about the bill's content, how likely it is to pass, and the challenges that lie ahead for this proposed legislation. We also discuss the history of the federal government’s support for civic education – and how this plan is different from what's come before.
You can see a video of this episode at this link.
Resources on the Civics Secures Democracy Act:
CivXNow Coalition Website
Civics Secures Democracy Act Text (32 pages)
Ask Questions or Get Involved in CSD (Contact Form)
About Catriona McDonald
ESD Podcast Resources:
Education for Sustainable Democracy Site
Brett's Open Access Research Articles
ESD YouTube Channel (Please Subscribe!)
Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!)
Next Episode
The Civically Engaged Districts Project - Part 2, with Six Students & Four Teachers (New Jersey)
How can youth help to improve the culture and policies of their school districts?
In Part 2 of ESD's series on the Civically Engaged Districts Project, students and teachers discuss how they conducted research and took action to effect real change in their central New Jersey districts. They addressed challenging issues, such as gun control, student mental health, and creating an inclusive school community. Listen to hear what they learned from the experience and how district leaders responded.
Student Participants:
Tabatha Alegria, Emely Garcia, Oluwafisayo (Fefe) Kotun, Eddylenn Hidalgo, James Nicolai, John Nicolai
Teacher Participants:
Chris Monaghan, Sean Villegas, Brandi Gustafson, Luma Hasan
Part 1 of this series features administrators who worked on the project and the professor who helps guide the work. Please check it out at the link below.
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
ESD YouTube Channel (Please subscribe!)
Prior ESD Episodes on Y-PAR:
Civically Engaged Districts Project - Part 1, with Prof. Beth Rubin (Rutgers University) and District Administrators (New Brunswick Public Schools)Students Addressing Public Issues through Action Civics, with Scott Warren (Generation Citizen)
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