Back to School, Back to Basic Engagement

How can we encourage civic education?

Back-to-school season has Pinion inspired to discuss civic education in the U.S., which is at best sporadic and at worst skipped over. We're wondering how we can improve it and how we can get young people engaged. Will Gen Z still show up at the polls, even if they never had a civics class?

It turns out civic education is bigger than just learning about voting. While it helps people understand their rights as members of the greater community and the basics of democracy, including their local and national government structures, it also promotes community relationships, improves outcomes for the underprivileged, and leads to better governance and health outcomes.

Research has shown that youth engagement in student government and mock elections can lead to improved academic performance and social-emotional well-being. Some studies even find students who are resourceful in extracurricular activities are more likely to be civically engaged later in life, including participating in public discourse and decision-making while contributing to the betterment of society.

Education opportunities cost money and many school districts are already struggling to make ends meet. So after they’ve asked teachers to volunteer as advisors to extracurriculars and exhausted other resources, they will need new resources and new ways to inspire their students to civic engagement.

Pinion is creating opportunities to expand civic discourse. We’re building voting records that are easily viewable, to increase transparency in a complicated political landscape. The Pinion platform takes young voters into the heart of civic performance, the crafting and passing of legislation, and provides them a way to vote on the same bills their elected officials are voting on. In this way, they can take part in policy shaping by easily sharing opinions on important legislation.

Creating better access to civic engagement will open doors for students and adults alike. Both can engage in commentary about what matters most to them, highlighting the perspectives and concerns of all generations. This information will inform a more nuanced policy discussion, addressing concerns from more angles and better serving the population throughout their lifespans.

Get Engaged!