| Brief History and Mission |
Throughout its fifty year history, the Eagleton Institute of Politics has been dedicated to the mission of linking the study and practice of politics through research, education, and public service programs. This mission has guided the Institute’s work on youth political participation. The ongoing success of such youth programs as NEW Leadership™, Pathways to Politics, Statehouse Express, and RUVoting at the college level, along with our experience administering Newark Student Voices, demonstrates Eagleton’s accomplishments in the area of citizenship training.
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| Project Description |
RU Ready is a citizenship training initiative directed toward high school seniors as they prepare to vote for the first time. It consists of four interactions throughout the academic year between the RU Ready team of trained Rutgers students and high school seniors in participating schools: |
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“Because Politics Matters” – Opening program introducing the idea that politics matters in the everyday lives of young people. |
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“All Politics is Local” – Exploration of local issues and a visit to the school by a local elected leader. |
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“Voting 101” – Session in which seniors are guided through the process of voting and are offered the opportunity to register to vote. |
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“Young Leaders Conference” – A conference held at the Eagleton Institute of Politics for representatives from participating schools. |
Eagleton is piloting this project during the 2007-2008 academic year in a small number of high schools in communities surrounding Rutgers University. We hope to create a citizenship training model that could be replicated in high schools throughout New Jersey and nationwide.
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| Value and Impact of Programming |
High school seniors benefit directly from the RU Ready program. By targeting all seniors, the program touches students of diverse interests and abilities. Moreover, the program eases the burdens of political participation that often hamper youth civic engagement. RU Ready also meets the needs of high schools. The program equips students with many of the civic skills schools seek to provide to their students; is evenly spaced throughout the year and does not impose a burden on teachers’ valuable time; and it provides materials that will be valuable resources for teachers as well as their students.
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| The RU Ready Team |
The RU Ready Team is made up of a dedicated group of Rutgers students committed to reaching out to young people and engaging them in the political process. RU Ready team members include:
Top left to right: Malissa Pansa-ad, Jessica Marabondo, Ritika Kaushal, Lauren Pecoraro
Bottom left to right: John Sobotka, Mitchell Laird, Nicole Golding
Kunal Sharma (not pictured).
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| Elizabeth C. Matto, Ph.D., of Eagleton’s Youth Political Participation Program is the project director for RU Ready. Additional project direction is provided by Matthew Strobel, a doctoral candidate from the Graduate School of Applied Psychology Program. |
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