“Knowledge of our system of government is not handed down through the gene pool. The habits of citizenship must be learned. But we have neglected civic education for the past several decades, and the results are predictably dismal.” – Sandra Day O’Connor

The Importance of Civics

3

Civic knowledge and engagement is vital to a thriving democracy.

• Promotes informed political participation

• Gives people more control over their lives as citizens

• Nuances opinions and encourages dialogue and bipartisanship

• Creates future leaders for our democracy

Source: Educational Testing Service

Society in Crisis

4

Only 1/3 Americans can name the three branches of government and 1/3 can’t name any at all.

24% Only 24% of high school students graduate proficient in civics.

Source: Educational Testing Service, Center for Public Justice, Los Angeles Times

139172

The United States ranks 139th in voter turnout out of the world’s 172 democracies.

A Creative Solution

5

Civic Life Project transforms students into responsible citizens by empowering them to explore and engage the critical civic issues facing their community and our nation through documentary filmmaking.

To The Benefit of All

6

• Students become more responsible citizens through a deeper understanding and appreciation of civics and civic issues while learning valuable creative skills

• Schools can augment their civics curricula, saving resources while enhancing outcomes and developing 21st Century skills

• Society benefits from more responsible citizens and communities that get to explore the issues through student documentaries

Classroom to Screening Room

7

By leveraging multimedia technology that is already exciting and familiar to young people, Civic Life Project captures the imagination of students by turning the dry study of civics into the exploration of real people with real issues.

Classroom to Screening Room

8

CLP’s program demonstrates the importance of civics by:

• Hosting in-classroom discussions with students relating the Constitution and the role of government to real people and real issues

• Creating teams of students to investigate, analyze, and develop a viewpoint on a civic issue

• Providing instruction on how to script and produce a documentary film, including work sessions with real directors, cinematographers, and journalists

• Producing of short videos for public presentation to peers, teachers, community members and public officials

Measurable Impact

9

CLP uses a variety of metrics to gauge success:

• Number of attendees at public screenings • Online video views• Qualitative feedback from students, teachers, and

community members• Duration of relationships with schools

In the future, CLP will:

• Track program alumni to obtain qualitative and quantitative data on their civic involvement, comparing it to local and national averages

Moving Forward

10

For Civic Life Project to succeed and grow, funds will be needed to meet our needs in terms of personnel and materials. Personnel responsibilities include: • Designing and implementing in-class programs• Supporting students in filmmaking process• Building relationships with students, schools and other

partners• Developing and translating its curriculum for online

platforms.Materials needed to run our programs include:• Film equipment• Editing hardware and software

July 2013 – June 2014

11

CLP will:

• Translate its curriculum to online/mobile platforms

• Develop teachers’ and Instructors’ training workshops

• Develop on line subscription based high schools and universities courses

• Develop online tutoring

Tax Deductible Contributions

12

Civic Life Project is a 501 c 3 Not for Profit incorporated in Connecticut

All contributions are tax-deductible

14

Click  here  to  watch  short  video  presenta=on

Thank You.www.civiclifeproject.org