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UIS awards public policy grants to 23 Illinois high schools

October 30, 2003

SPRINGFIELD - The University of Illinois at Springfield's Public Policy High School Initiatives program has awarded Public Policy Classroom Grant Awards for the 2003-2004 school year to 23 secondary schools across the state.

Under this program, students and teacher teams, under the direction of a lead teacher, research public policy issues affecting their own community and determine the feasibility and resources for potential solutions. During the course of the project, students learn about local community government and their role as citizens, often creating working relationships with local and state officials in the process. Students and teachers will also have the opportunity to come to Springfield to meet with their state legislators, watch government in action on the floor of the House and Senate, and visit committee hearings and other sites of interest in Springfield related to governing Illinois.

The program is designed to help students become aware of issues facing their communities and the state, develop a better understanding of the public policymaking process and the roles of citizens, explore career interests that may include public service and government, strengthen research and technology skills, and develop potential solutions to current public policy issues that impact their home communities.

In mid-October lead teachers met in Springfield for a one-day conference on public policymaking to prepare themselves for integrating this standards-based curriculum into their classrooms during this school year.

Lead teachers at the following Illinois high schools are receiving Public Policy Classroom Grant Awards for FY 2004:
Alton Community High School - Alton
Anna-Jonesboro High School - Anna
Armstrong High School - Armstrong
Barry Community High School - Barry
Capitol Area Career Center - Springfield
Carterville High School - Carterville
Chicago Vocational School - Chicago
Crete-Monee High School - Crete
Farragut Career Academy - Chicago
Heyworth High School - Heyworth
Kewanee High School - Kewanee
King College Prep School - Chicago
Madison Township High School - Madison
Marquette High School - Ottawa
Mendota Township High School - Mendota
Morris Community High School - Morris
Murphysboro High School - Murphysboro
Ottawa Township High School - Ottawa
Riverton High School - Riverton
South Fork High School - Kinkaid
Southeast High School - Springfield
Streator Township High School - Streator
Webber Township High School - Bluford

All secondary schools in Illinois are eligible to apply for a Public Policy Classroom Grant for 2004-2005. For more information, contact project coordinator Peggy Dunn at (217) 206-7398.