SAN JOSE, CA – On Wednesday, April 17 the Santa Clara County Board of Education signed a resolution to encourage district participation in High School Voter Education weeks.
Every year, the last two full weeks of April (15-26) and September are designated as High School Voter Education weeks. This semiannual event provides opportunities for schools to partner with their local registrar of voters and provides training for future voters.
"This resolution is part of our Power of Democracy Civic Engagement Initiative designed to increase civic literacy and engagement of young people. Throughout the year, Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) staff are hard at work, creating professional development for educators and facilitating opportunities for students, to support civic activity," stated County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan.
"High School Voter Education Weeks are much broader than registration drives. Educating future voters means teaching young people the responsibilities that accompany the right to vote, knowing how to filter through media coverage, staying informed, and learning to have constructive conversations across the political divide. We provide materials to support these conversations in the classrooms," added Dewan.
To support students of all ages, not just at the high school level, the SCCOE has assembled an online Educator's Toolkit for teachers to download.
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About the Civic Engagement Initiative
Through the lens of equity and diversity, the "Power of Democracy: Civic Engagement Initiative" is a multi-sector coalition facilitated by the Santa Clara County Office of Education. The Initiative is designed to foster an understanding of the structures and processes of our democracy, share resources and best practices, encourage informed and multifaceted civic participation and build stronger communities. The Initiative is aligned to the CDE and the Education Commission of the States' "Six Proven Practices of Civic Engagement."
About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 21 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.