Policy vs Politics Expands Reach of Policy Education Program, Delivers Civic Education to Classrooms Across America

WHITEHOUSE, N.J. - March 5, 2024 - PRLog -- The Policy Education Program, launched in the Fall of 2023, provides students in high school, college, and university classrooms with a foundational policy education that encourages critical thinking through a series of policy topic explorations.

In 2024, it is estimated that Gen Z youth alone will make up over 40 million potential voters. "We're here to provide young people with a policy education that prepares them for a future of civic engagement. The more confident they are evaluating and discussing various policies, the more likely they are to avoid the pitfalls of misinformation and political peer pressure," says Karine Eurdekian, Director of Development. "Our goal is not to tell the next generation of voters what to think, but rather to provide them with an opportunity to explore and better understand the policies that impact their lives to make more educated decisions."

The Policy Education Program is active in both well-funded and underserved schools, and suggests promising academic growth across the board. Since its implementation, teachers have reported a notable increase in student engagement and concept retention. To assess the effectiveness of the material, students were given pre-tests and post-tests. Following the use of program materials, teachers reported a 16-35% increase between pre and post-test scores. The gain is significant enough to transform a failing grade to a passing one, and an average grade to an excellent one.

Suzanne Bailey, a teacher at Virgil I. Grissom High School, located in Huntsville, AL, shared her positive experience with Unit 1 of the program. She stated, "The material works really well. Students found the policy briefs to be interesting and the groups had good discussions on determining which facts ––to present. They also enjoyed the budget simulation and deciding what to cut. It was great that there were 5 different briefs to accommodate group work for large classes. The budget exercise was engaging–students were able to make the connection between ideology and policy choices..looking forward to the next round!"

Program Highlights/Features:

1. Diverse Range of Policy Issues: Students explore a variety of policy areas, including Business and Economy, Education, Energy and the Environment, Civil Liberties and Rights, Internet and Media, Taxes and Spending, National Security and Defense, and more.

2. Easy-to-Understand Format: The material has been thoughtfully prepared to ensure it is easily comprehensible and accessible to individuals with varying levels of reading proficiency.

3. Promotes Critical Thinking: Students have the opportunity to analyze policy data, understand policy impact, and explore solutions for real-world problems that influence their daily lives.

4. Inspires Civic Engagement: Developing a strong foundation of policy knowledge and critical thinking skills helps students confidently engage with policy issues beyond the classroom.

The program is active across 19 states, including Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Policy vs Politics' mission is to research and publish nonpartisan and easy-to-understand policy content that educates students, informs policymakers, and engages the general public in understanding and intercepting policy issues.