For Immediate Release: Friday, November 22, 2024
Contact: Genevieve Greene, ggreene@seventy.org, 617-785-6991
Philadelphia, PA – Recognizing the power of future voters and leaders, the Committee of Seventy (Seventy) led a series of youth-centered, experiential programs designed to engage students in civic education during the recent election cycle. In partnership with schools and teachers across Pennsylvania, students ages 5-18 had the opportunity to participate in mock elections, learn about democracy and voter rights, lead video interviews with candidates, join discussion groups, and attend workshops about holding civil conversations with peers who hold different perspectives.
“Active citizenship doesn’t start at 18 – it builds on a foundation we can start as young as kindergarten,” said Lauren Cristella, President and CEO of Seventy. “This year, more students participated in our programming than ever before, bringing thoughtful discussions about democracy and community to the forefront. We saw that students of all ages have powerful voices and ideas that can shape their communities and bring people together.”
Highlights of Seventy’s recent youth programs include:
- In partnership with PA Youth Vote, two state-wide mock elections for the primary and general included 20,600 youth voters from 80 schools. Students learned about candidates and voted, like adults, to understand the process. Participants were also encouraged to analyze voter turnout rates among their peers.
- More than 1,800 students in elementary, middle and high school participated in Seventy’s virtual and classroom education programs, designed to teach basic civic skills, like respectful listening, creative inquiry and thinking, and community problem-solving. High School students participated in the Elections & Voting curriculum, with lessons that help students understand election procedures and how they impact their lives. Younger students participated in Seventy’s Democracy for Kids program, which teaches core skills about living in a community.
- 75 teachers across the State received weekly discussion questions through the Presidential STAR Card series that provided students with discussion prompts on basic civic knowledge and practice with civil dialogue, and empowered students to share and deliberate different points of view on subjects relatable to them. Teachers used STAR Card prompts during morning meetings, writing assignments and class discussions.
- Students participated in Nine Studio C70 candidate interviews, connecting candidates with students so that young and future voters can ask questions of those seeking public office on issues that youth care about. These interviews were uploaded to Seventy’s Interactive Voter Guide, which was used by over 23,000 voters this election. Videos can be found on the Seventy YouTube channel.
- 450 students from 12 schools engaged in Can We Talk? programming – designed to introduce students to skills and habits that promote productive dialogue across differences, countering political polarization and student anxiety.
Between these programs and the subscribers to the #C70ed Civics Newsletter, more than 530 educators and 22,000 students in Pennsylvania have benefitted from Seventy’s Youth Civics resources in 2024.
Beyond election cycles, Seventy’s programs are offered year-round. To learn more about youth civics programs, please visit https://live-c70.pantheonsite.io/youth-civics.
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About Committee of Seventy
The Committee of Seventy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has promoted, supported and facilitated government ethics and election integrity for more than a century. Seventy advocates for more free, fair, safe and secure elections and works to ensure that every eligible voter votes, is informed when they vote, and votes with confidence. For more information, visit: https://live-c70.pantheonsite.io/.