Generation Citizen

Generation Citizen believes we cannot expect young people to know how to engage effectively in the political process if they are not taught how to do so. GC exists to address this civic engagement gap among young people specifically. Over the next two years, we will increase the number of high-need students who receive Action Civics education from 1,725 to 4000 per year. The success of this project will broaden GC’s impact and strengthen the case for Action Civics statewide. Our evaluations have proven our program is effective, showing two-thirds of students made consistent growth in their civic knowledge, skills, and disposition at the conclusion of the semester-long Action Civics program. In closer evaluation, the number of students who had ever contacted or met with a public official grew by more than 150% by the end of the program. There was a 74% increase in the number of students who had ever written a letter, article, or op-ed to a newspaper, and a 57% increase in the number who had ever attended a community meeting. 90% of students left the classroom believing they can make a difference in their community. From our own evaluation, GC teachers report that the student-driven perspective results in GC resonating most profoundly with the students who are typically least well-served in a traditional classroom, as they're given the opportunity to engage personally in relevant and creative work with real-world implications. The opportunity to practice engaging in local governmental processes inspires greater confidence and agency in our young people, who feel better equipped to make positive change in their community. In the long-term, GC’s impact will be measured by how civics is taught and through concrete societal behavior change in civic participation.