MGTV offers districts access to National Student Parent Mock Election

 

Michigan School Districts are invited to participate

Michigan Government Television (MGTV) announces a statewide initiative to promote student voter-education through Michigan’s public and private schools. MGTV has received a $42,000.00 grant from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

The funds will underwrite MGTV’s partnership with Leland Schools to recruit students in rural and urban areas statewide to participate in the National Student Parent Mock Election (NSPME), the largest mock election in the country. In addition, students will also be invited to participate in many pre-election activities including live MGTV interview programs with top-of-the-Michigan-ticket candidates.

Michigan School Districts are invited to participate in any of the offered programs, including:

• Having students vote in the National Student/Parent Mock Election on October 28, 2010 (a minimum requirement)
• Having students participate in MGTV live call-in cable TV programs with candidates in person, via phone or videoconference technology (high school students only)
• Classroom viewing and analysis of MGTV candidate interviews on a live or tape delayed basis (DVD’s provided free for teacher convenience)
• High school student/teacher discussions on the MGTV Facebook page (private groups)
• Voting machine demonstrations in your school

Schools should contact MGTV if they want to participate by calling 517-373-4250 or e-mail mgtv@mgtv.org.

Leland Schools has been responsible for coordinating the involvement of Michigan’s schools in the NSPME since 2005 and plans a regional student rally involving up to 10 local schools with political candidates just prior to the NSPME election on October 28.

“This grant money will allow us to involve so many more students and make their election experience so much more meaningful,” said Leland School Superintendent Mike Hartigan. MGTV will also work with existing civic-education-related groups like The Michigan Center for Civic Education to involve the greatest number of students in pre-election programs and voting in the NSPME.

“What a great way for Michigan’s students to come together and learn about the importance of voting and civic participation,” said MGTV Executive Director, Bill Trevarthen.