Democracy Project designed to inspire young citizens

2:19 p.m., June 22, 2004--The sixth annual Democracy Project Institute for Teachers is a nine-day, three-credit graduate seminar that brings together social studies teachers—kindergarten through 12th grade—and leaders in government and education to collaborate on ways to rekindle youth involvement in government and politics.

Sponsored by UD’s Insitute for Public Administration and the Delaware Department of State, the institute opened Monday, June 21, at the University with 20 Delaware teachers who will attend seminars through Saturday, June 26. They will reconvene Aug. 9-11 to continue instruction on innovative methods of teaching civics in elementary, middle and high schools.

The project was developed after the release of the “New Millennium Project” report, a bipartisan study of youth attitudes on politics, citizenship and voting. The National Association of Secretaries of State commissioned the study after voter turnout set record lows in the 1998 midterm election. The report indicates that the media, parents, political parties and schools all play a role in connecting young people to the democratic process.

The goal of the institute is for educators to renew their understanding of the challenges and divided interests facing government leaders, refresh their appreciation for the conflict and compromise that ensure true representative democracy, explore student learning opportunities at all levels of government and through nonprofit programs and develop innovative and interactive teaching strategies to inspire youth involvement in democracy.

Teachers will meet with politicians, journalists, jurists, lobbyists and staff who will talk about their experiences and challenges. Speakers include Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, U.S. Rep. Michael Castle, U.S. Sens. Joe Biden and Tom Carper, Delaware Attorney General Jane Brady, State Superior Court Vice Chancellor Leo Strine, Superior Court Judge Peggy Ablemen and News Journal editorial board editor John Taylor. Field visits include trips to Washington, D.C., the Port of Wilmington and the offices of the News Journal.

Based on what they learn in the two Institute sessions, teachers will develop lesson plans to take back to their classrooms in the fall designed to inspire students to become interested in politics.

For more information, visit [www.ipa.udel.edu/democracy/institute/].

Article by Barbara Garrison

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