Retro Report Ignites Gen Z Civic Engagement with New Initiatives
Retro Report, the Emmy Award-winning nonprofit newsroom (free entry), is stepping as much as deal with a important hole in civic training amongst right this moment’s youth. With the 2024 election on the horizon and solely 22 p.c of scholars nationwide proficient in civics, Retro Report is launching a complete technique designed to foster engaged and knowledgeable younger residents. This multi-faceted strategy features a compelling docuseries, a nationwide pupil problem, and a wealth of sources for educators. Buckle up, educators – civic engagement is about to get a critical improve.
Shaping the Future: A Civic Name to Motion
Think about a classroom the place college students aren’t simply memorizing dates and info however actively partaking in discussions that form their communities and futures. Retro Report is making this a actuality with its three-pronged plan to jazz up civic training: the PBS documentary collection “Citizen Nation,” the inaugural #CivicEngagementChallenge, and an intensive library of free sources for civics lecturers. These efforts come at a time when empowering younger voices is extra essential than ever.
The 22% Proficiency Disaster: We Have to Discuss
To know the urgency, we have to unpack what civics proficiency entails. Civics training covers a big selection of subjects, together with the foundations of democracy, the features of presidency branches, civil liberties and rights, and the significance of civic participation. When solely 22 p.c of scholars are proficient, it implies that the overwhelming majority lack a stable understanding of those important parts, hindering their means to interact successfully in democratic processes and civic life. In different phrases, we’re a technology which may assume the Electoral Faculty is the place you go to main in voting. Yikes.
On the coronary heart of Retro Report’s efforts to spice up civic engagement is a trio of interconnected tasks. The primary of those is an inspiring docuseries that brings the realities of civic participation to life – and belief us, it’s far more thrilling than it sounds.
“Citizen Nation”: A Docuseries Highlighting Youth in Motion
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 8, as a result of “Citizen Nation” is about to grow to be your new favourite docuseries. This four-part program gives an inspiring coming-of-age narrative, following youngsters from numerous backgrounds as they compete in We the Individuals, the nation’s premier civics competitors. Retro Report’s journalists immersed themselves within the lives of those college students for months, capturing their struggles, triumphs, and views on urgent points going through America right this moment. Government Producer Kyra Darnton explains, “This challenge offered a singular alternative to painting the day by day lives of youngsters throughout the nation by way of their very own eyes. Our in-depth strategy allowed us to achieve perception into the challenges they face and their ideas concerning the future.”
Equipping Educators: Free Assets for Civics Lecturers
Complementing the docuseries, the second prong of Retro Report’s technique focuses on empowering educators with free educating supplies. To tug this off, Retro Report is partnering with 25 prime civics lecturers from secondary faculties throughout the nation. These training superheroes are creating and piloting interactive supplies, partaking in digital classroom exchanges, and selling free sources, all set to be accessible this fall. These sources, designed to show college students learn how to interact in civil discourse, consider sources, and develop evidence-based arguments, will convey the dynamic, real-world parts of “Citizen Nation” into the classroom, making civics training extra related and fascinating for college students.
The #CivicEngagementChallenge: Empowering Pupil Voices
The ultimate element of Retro Report’s three-part plan immediately engages college students by way of an thrilling nationwide competitors. The #CivicEngagementChallenge invitations college students aged 13 to 18 to submit essays or movies that mannequin civil discourse and share their views on group points and civic engagement. Open from Monday, August 5, by way of Sunday, October 13, the problem gives contributors the possibility to win $500 and have their work featured on Retro Report’s web site and social media. It’s a singular alternative for college students to follow civil discourse and make their voices heard. For extra particulars and entry info, go to retroreport.org/civic-engagement-challenge. Who is aware of? The subsequent nice political thoughts may be found proper right here.
Be part of the Motion
Retro Report’s three-pronged strategy — combining compelling media, educator help, and direct pupil engagement — gives a complete answer to the necessity for enhanced civic training. By offering platforms for pupil engagement, producing charming instructional content material, and equipping lecturers with essential instruments, Retro Report helps to develop a technology of knowledgeable, energetic residents.
For extra details about “Citizen Nation” and different sources, go to Retro Report’s web site. Tune into the docuseries on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS app beginning October 8, and encourage the younger voices in your life to take part in shaping our collective future. In any case, they’re those who’ll be operating the present quickly sufficient – let’s ensure that they’re prepared for it!
