FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
September 14, 2015
Contact:
Sam Mahood
Secretary of State’s Office
(916) 653-6575
Marika Rose
Power of Democracy
(916) 601-9737
Secretary of State to Kick Off LA County High School Voter Education Weeks at Culver City High School
K-12 Civic Education identified as critical to increasing civic participation
- WHO:
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California Secretary of State Alex Padilla
Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, Chair of the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee
Arturo Delgado, Ed.D, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools
Judge Halim Dhanidina, Los Angeles Superior Court
Culver City High School faculty and students
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- WHAT:
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Student Assembly and “Meet and Greet” at Culver City High School to highlight the importance of civic engagement and kick off “High School Voter Education Weeks.”
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- WHY:
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California eligible voter turnout among 18-24 year olds in the 2014 General Election was 8.2%. In Los Angeles only 6.8% eligible 18-24 year olds voted.
Research shows that when K-12 students participate in relevant civic education and practice civic engagement they learn to care about and connect with their community and society. They develop a deeper understanding that they have the power to effect change through the democratic process.
“High School Voter Education Weeks” (September 14-25) were created to encourage and inspire student civic engagement. Students participate by serving as student outreach coordinators, engaging in simulations of democratic processes such as mock elections and debates, discussing current events and issues, and providing opportunities for eligible students to register to vote.
Secretary of State Alex Padilla, a member of the Power of Democracy Steering Committee (established by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye to promote high quality civic learning for all California K-12 students), Assemblymember Ridley-Thomas, Chair of the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee, Arturo Delgado, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, and Judge Halim Dhanidina, Los Angeles Superior Court will visit Culver City High School to kick off “High School Voter Education Weeks.” They will join students at an assembly to discuss the importance of civic engagement to communities, how students can become civically engaged, and why civic participation matters in California’s judicial system. Students will showcase clubs and civic engagement projects and will be encouraged to ask questions directly of the guests during a Q&A and at an informal “Meet and Greet” and civic engagement fair following the assembly.
Culver City High School is one of ten LA county high schools that have institutionalized civic learning practices for all students through the California Democracy School Project.
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- WHERE:
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Culver City High School
4401 Elenda Street, Culver City, CA 90230
Check-in at front office on Elenda Street to obtain Visitor Pass (main entrance)
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- WHEN:
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September 15, 2015
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Student Assembly
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Civic Engagement Fair/”Meet and Greet”
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- DETAILS:
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Photo Opportunities:
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Student Assembly, guest comments, examples of student civic engagement, Q&A.
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Students “Meet and Greet” with Secretary Padilla, Assemblymember Ridley-Thomas and Judge Dhanidina.
Media Availability:
Students, teachers and guests will be available for interviews immediately following “Meet and Greet”
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Please register to attend at: http://lacoe.k12oms.org/1537-104735
For more information on Power of Democracy and civic learning visit: Power of Democracy
