The Hechinger Report
30 October 2020
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Oakland, California, United States
The Oakland Youth Vote started as a youth-led ballot initiative to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote for school board representatives. Student activism helped get the initiative on the November 2020 ballot and the Oakland City Council promised to fund and implement the measure if it is approved. The ballot measure passed with 67% of voters supporting it. Voting for school board representatives will allow students to have a say in the policies and decisions that shape their education and ensure that the diverse student body is appropriately represented.
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/boston-theres-an-app-for-that-107661.html#.VYml6PlViko
Ben Schreckinger
Politico
10 June 2014
Text / Over 3000 Words
Boston had a hard time solving civic problems efficiently and holding its leadership accountable. In response, a team in the Mayor's office was charged with "making Boston better through clever, low-cost hacks" such as a mobile app that allows residents to send government service requests to City Hall.
http://nationswell.com/meet-folks-upgrading-civic-engagement
Rob Gurwitt
NationSwell
11 December 2013
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Very few people go to city council meetings. MindMixer, a tech startup company, increased civic participation in states across the U.S. with online platforms for city officials and the community to discuss ideas.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/why-solutions-journalism-matters-too
David Bornstein
The New York Times
20 December 2011
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Crises and problems are well-covered in the media. When the media focuses instead on organizations that are doing social good, it has a better effect because then these organizations are more likely to receive support and expand their access.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2015/03/21/tulsa-outreach-key-palatable-school-closures/73899232
Lindsey Anderson
El Paso Times
21 March 2015
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Tulsa Public Schools drew on expertise across many sectors and extensive neighborhood input to address the issue of thousands of empty seats in local schools. Through a community-focused process, they were able to mindfully close under-utilized schools and better maximize the community's resources for students.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/07/on-gay-rights-moving-real-life-friends-to-action
Tina Rosenberg
The New York Times
7 July 2011
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The ability of social media and online civic participation to impact law and politics is still developing, but one social media tool - Friendfactor - was used successfully in New York to help bring about the passage of Gay Marriage Equality. It may be an indicator for how powerful platforms like this one will continue to play a role in societal growth and change.
http://thetyee.ca/News/2014/10/17/Sustainability-Definition-Changed-Law
Geoff Dembicki
The Tyee
17 October 2014
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Hawaii private school students were taught about ecological sustainability, but public school students were not. After losing a school essay contest about sustainability, a high school student convinced Hawaii’s legislature to pass a resolution requiring that every student learn the meaning of the concept. Due to this student’s advocacy, the state is also piloting a program to install solar panels on its public schools to teach children how to be more self-sustaining.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/04/realizing-we-the-people-one-person-at-a-time
David Bornstein
The New York Times
4 September 2014
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Retreat programs can improve self-awareness and understanding of others. The Center for Courage & Renewal creates safe environments for people to speak honestly with each other, something Parker J. Palmer says is needed to de-polarize society.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/13/a-military-manual-for-nonviolent-war
Tina Rosenberg
The New York Times
13 February 2015
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The Center for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies provides a "blueprint" for peaceful and democratic revolution, busting myths about the process of nonviolent revolt and helping dissidents in countries around the world to accomplish political goals, such as fighting corruption or protecting the environment.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/from-young-adult-book-fans-to-wizards-of-change
Courtney E. Martin
The New York Times
21 March 2012
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Global social and economic problems are difficult to change. However, fan-activism fuels the interests of fans of popular young adult fiction. Books such as Harry Potter and the Hunger Games have inspired activist groups that raise awareness of global hunger, reading, and relief supplies to impoverished nations, among others. Being a fan has served as a bridge to become politically active and solve the world’s problems.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning_deeply/2015/12/as_50_states_prepare_to_reimagine_education_policy_four_are_able_to_offer_guidance.html
Sam Chaltain
Education Week
9 December 2015
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The Innovation Lab Network (ILN) is a made up of a network of states that work collaboratively to transform their respective school systems. The ILN seeks to make meaningful systems-level changes in state education systems and they have shared their insights in four short films and manage a website with resources. The solutions emphasize local engagement and authority, extreme patience, and a framework that places the strengths and passions of young people at the center.
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