Youth Political Participation Program

Youth Political Participation Program

Educating for Tomorrow
In an effort to prepare young people to be informed and active members of the civic community, Eagleton focuses attention on the civic education of high school and middle school students, both inside and beyond the classroom.
•	State House Express
	State House Express is an initiative begun in 2004, underwrites class trips to visit the State House in Trenton. High school and middle school students take a special tour and complete activities designed to increase their understanding of government and encourage their participation in the political system.
•	RU Ready
	RU Ready is a citizenship training initiative directed towards high school seniors as they prepare to vote for the first time and consists of four interactions throughout the academic year between the RU Ready team of trained Rutgers students and high school seniors in participating schools: “Because Politics Matters” – Opening program introducing the idea that politics matters in the everyday lives of young people. “All Politics is Local” – Exploration of local issues and a visit to the school by a local elected leader. “Voting 101” – Session in which seniors are guided through the process of voting and are offered the opportunity to register to vote. “Young Leaders Conference” – A conference held at the Eagleton Institute of Politics for representatives from participating schools. The Eagleton Institute of Politics will pilot RU Ready during the 2007-2008 academic year in a small number of high schools surrounding Rutgers University. RU Ready is made possible by the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
•	Eagleton Assessment
	The Eagleton Assessment is an online survey instrument that measures the levels of civic engagement of high school students in participating schools. The survey instrument consists of questions that measure students’ levels of civic knowledge, skills, and attitudes. This assessment is available online to participating schools for their students to take at the beginning of the academic year and again towards the end of the academic year. The Eagleton Institute will provide school administrators the summary data of their students’ levels of civic engagement at the conclusion of each survey. The Eagleton Assessment will be piloted in New Jersey during the 2007-2008 academic year and will be offered to high schools nationwide by the 2008-2009 academic year. The assessment promises to provide valuable data to teachers, school administrators, policymakers, and researchers.
•	The Classroom-Kitchen Table Connection: The Effects of Political Discussion on Youth Knowledge and Efficacy
	"The Classroom-Kitchen Table Connection: The Effects of Political Discussion on Youth Knowledge and Efficacy" is a current research project conducted with the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling measuring the dual effects of the use of news magazines in high school social studies courses and the discussion of this information at home on young people’s political knowledge and sense of political efficacy. It is funded by the Center for Information and Research in Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).