RALEIGH, N.C.–The member-funded SECU Foundation is teaming up with EducationNC (EdNC) to assist with the expansion and outreach of their innovative high school civics program, First Vote NC. The program teaches students the importance and mechanics of the voting process and provides an opportunity to participate in an authentic online simulated election.
The Foundation said its $150,000 investment will help bring the program to teachers statewide over the next three years. SECU and Foundation representatives joined EducationNC officials in Fayetteville last week at Reid Ross Classical School, a First Vote NC participant, for the Foundation’s grant announcement and ceremonial check presentation.
EducationNC is a nonpartisan organization that provides an independent source of news, data and analysis about education for the people and state of North Carolina. First Vote NC offers participating public and charter high school teachers a free 20-module curriculum that includes the simulation election, issue-based questions, demographic data collection for post-election analysis, a lesson portfolio, and a private online discussion platform for teachers. More than 37,000 students statewide voted in the 2016 presidential and 2017 municipal election simulations.
“First Vote NC has been well-received by high school teachers who have incorporated the civics curriculum in their classrooms over the past two years,” remarked SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell. “As long-time advocates of education, SECU members recognize the significance and impact of helping students become more informed about the democratic process before legally exercising their right to vote at age 18. SECU Foundation is happy to support EdNC’s efforts to bring this election simulation program to students statewide.”