The Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government

Links

Education Commission of the States
Devoted to helping states implement useful education policy by providing research, leadership, and analysis. ECS is a good source for data not necessarily related directly to civic educationc but can provide valuable information for variables such as attendance, certification, literacy rates, etc. For example, concerning literacy, ecs.org notes that children who fall behind in 1st grade have a one in eight chance of ever catching up to grade level without extraordinary efforts. Basically, ECS keeps policy makers up to date on all subjects concerning education so they can make informed decisions.

Journalism Education Association Supports free and responsible scholastic journalism by providing educational opportunities, and encouraging student excellence. Located at Kansas State University, JEA is composed of journalism teachers, advisors, media professionals, libraries, newspapers, and more. In order for us to foster engaged and informed citizens, the media must play their role by providing responsible scholastic journalism. Thus, an important part of civic education must also include discussions of the importance of journalism.

J-Ideas
Developed at Ball State University to encourage excellence in high school journalism by encouraging students in both public and private schools to come together and foster First Amendment and civic awareness. Student run high school newspapers can serve as a vital tool for education our youth as to the importance of the press in the political process. J-Ideas provide residential workshops that have helped thousands of high school journalists. It also helps our nations young by linking high school journalists with colleges and professional newspaper.

ASNE High School Journalism
Provides various resources to students and teachers regarding high school media, journalism schools, and scholarships. For example, ASNE provides middle and high school newspapers their own site to post their own stories and information. This is a wonderful example of how to provide hands-on education experiences for students to foster excitement in journalism. The current President is Charlotte Hall, Editor of the Orlando Sentinel.

American Youth Policy Forum
A professional development organization providing education and learning opportunities for those who are working on youth and educational issues. The AYPF focuses mainly on broadening the knowledge and understanding of policymakers and attempt to change the current situation through policy. The do however invite the youth to share their viewpoints. Whereas the Lou Frey Institute focuses both on the policy side and the direct involvement of youth, the AYPF has a less diverse focus. Nonetheless, it understands the importance of engaged youth.

Harvard Center for Public Leadership
"Provides a forum for students, scholars, and practitioners committed to the idea that effective public leadership is essential to the common good." Perhaps most importantly, it is committed to bridging the gap between leadership theory and policy. The HCPL provides courses, seminars, and workshops for prospective leaders not only in the US but abroad. It also provides financial support for scholars who are researching the topic at hand. Perhaps most impressive, the Harvard Center for Public Leadership includes conversations about leadership with some of the world's foremost scholars and practitioners.

Circle
Based in the University of Maryland�s School of Public Policy, Circle promotes research on the "civic and political engagement of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25."

Kids Voting
Prepares young people to be educated, engaged voters. This includes in class activities to introduce children to the concept of citizenship. Their classroom activities are short and engaging and help foster group discussion and the use of critical-thinking skills. For example, one activity involves children voting and then creating a separate "chain" for the yes votes and no votes. Once all the same votes are linked, students can visualize the amount of votes, and even take into consideration if they hadn't voted or voted the opposite. Kids Voting concentrates on younger students, thus providing perfect opportunities for elementary and middle school involvement, much like this paper will contemplate.

North Carolina Civic Education Consortium
"Works with schools, governments, and community organizations to prepare North Carolina's young people to be active, responsible citizens." The NCCEC provides teacher training and professional development for over 250 teachers in 2007 alone. The Consortium also provides small grants for programs throughout North Carolina. Finally, the Consortium released the NC Civic Index in 2003 which was the "first-ever study of youth and adult civic engagement." The NC Civic Index found many of the same issues that Florida is facing today. For example, they discovered that 9 out of 10 North Carolinians are unable to correctly name both of their U.S. senators. It also discovered that household income is the most consistent indicator of civic knowledge and engagement.

Center for Civic Education
Specializes in civic/citizenship education, focusing on the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. The Center in "dedicated to promoting an enlightened and responsible citizenry," which includes curricular, professional development as well as community-based programs. The Center for Civic Education publishes several texts including "We the People" and "Project Citizen" at both a high school and middle school level.

Civnet
An online resource for civic education practitioners and those who promote civic education. Resources include teaching resources, speeches, journals, and articles.

Florida YMCA Youth in Government
Develops programs for Florida's high school and middle school students, giving teens the ability to have their perspectives heard and discussed. This program is very hands on, teaching children about fundraising debate practices amongst other skills. Their most well known program is the State Legislature,' which is designed to familiarize high school students with the process, organization, and roles involved with our state's governmental process.

New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College
With programs that include a Civic Leadership Academy for high school students, the NHIP promotes an engaged citizen. In 2007, the 8 day program had more than 50 speakers. The NHIP focuses not just on the youth of their state, but the entire citizenry. Research is sponsored in 8 categories including foreign policy, political economy, political psychology, and theological approaches to political thought.

Young Politicians of America
"A service-training movement composed of young Americans aged 14-22 working together to revive political discourse and awareness by establishing nonpartisan civic clubs in high schools and colleges." They rely on clubs in high schools and colleges across America that combines community service projects and political discussion to foster our nation's future leaders. Students are required to satisfy monthly service-learning requirements and each chapter is required to meet on a weekly basis.

Bob Graham Center for Public Service
The goal is to seek solutions to public problems in areas such as public leadership, issues throughout the Americas, and issues of homeland security. Initiatives include the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship, which is a partnership between the Graham Center and the Lou Frey Institute. The mission of the FJCC is to collaborate with educators to improve civic learning and engagement, undertake research on the subject, and more. The Graham Center also collaborates with the Institute of Politics at Harvard as well as hosting Leadership Summits in order to "bring together all of the different entities on campus that work on leadership development, find common ground, and collaborate."

Harvard Institute of Politics
"The Institute of Politics' mission is to unite and engage students, particularly undergraduates, with academics, politicians, activists, and policy makes on a non-partisan basis and to simulate and nurture their interest in public service and leadership." The IOP publishes a quarterly political news analysis magazine called the Harvard Political Review covering all political topics such as drug policy. The IOP's "CIVICS" program introduces 5th-8th graders to Harvard undergraduates in order to help them understand the political process and critically think about their rights as responsibilities as citizens.

Eagleton Institute of Politics
Located at Rutgers University, the EIP "explores state and national politics through research, education, and public service."

Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics
Motivates students to become active in the world of politics and encourage public figures to become involved with USC.

LeRoy Collins Institute
A non-partisan institute which studies and promotes creative solutions to major public and private issues facing Florida.

Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership
Seeks to improve political leadership in Virginia. This includes the High School Leaders Program, a successful summer program where high school students study government and politics in order to prepare future leaders. It also connects the youth with leaders throughout the state and perhaps most important, energizes the states youth in politics, government, and leadership. The Cooper Center has a staff of FIFTY-FIVE! They also have programs for college students, training for candidates, as well as programs for professionals who wish to become more engaged in politics.

James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership-
The academy's mission is to "foster leadership through scholarship, education, and training, with special attention to advancing the leadership of groups historically underrepresented in life."

McConnell Center
Encourages undergraduates to become future leaders. The Center facilitates discourse on major issues concerning our nation.

Institute for Public Policy and Social Research
Serves leaders and scholars with research, training while building problem-solving relationships between the academic and policy maker communities.