Goals 2007-2008

In order to revitalize educational success and civic participation among California youth, CYDA proposes a youth-led initiative that will include the following elements:

AN ANNUAL CYCLE OF EVENTS including regional forums; issue identification; research and deliberation; a Youth Summit; development of policy proposals, policy advocacy at local and state levels, a summer reflection and report (written and video).

SUPPORT FOR CIVIC MISSION OF SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN including innovative resources and strategies to support teachers using service-learning in classroom instruction, and provide online opportunities for students to participate in meaningful civic engagement.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CURRICULUM GUIDE with standards-based lessons for teachers and a STUDENT CIVIC PARTICIPATION GUIDE for youth leaders to learn the knowledge, skills and democratic principles for effective public policy advocacy.

A YOUTH PRODUCED MEDIA CAMPAIGN to promote and document the initiative, to produce digital stories of elders and youth, to attract youth participation and to guide youth leaders to communicate their ideas, accomplishments and recommendations to the public.

A COMMUNICATION STRATEGY to link youth with each other, policy experts and policy makers through the internet, video conferencing, conference calls and other means, integrated by the CYDA web site.

A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION STRATEGY to measure the effectiveness of the CYDA program to train and engage youth in civic participation and local and state policy making, as well as increasing success in school by students at risk of dropping out.

Goals for 2007-2008

Background

Meet the Team