Wood County Commission Partners with County Civics Literacy Council
Back in April, the Wood County Commission partnered with the County Civics Literacy Council to pilot an interactive civic education program for at-risk middle schoolers from one of the county’s six middle schools, Hamilton Middle School. Seventh grade social studies teacher, Amy Nicely, recruited the students to be members of Citizens in Action (CIA). A two-day experience was planned and implemented for around 30 students.
On April 27, 2012, County Commissioner Blair Couch, served as host to the group, as they visited the county offices. The group participated in an interactive magistrate court session where their teacher, Ms. Nicely was brought to mocktrial on charges of littering and bank robbery, with the students serving as the jury. Commissioner Couch served as the jury’s assistant, helping them reach a guilty verdict. The group then proceeded to appeal the decision (with help from the Prosecuting Attorney’s office) to an interactive session of the circuit court. The group also visited the county commission’s courtroom, the county holding facilities and the county records room where death and birth certificates are available. Since early voting was taking place, the group also visited with county clerk personnel and had the opportunity to try their hand at voting.
In June the pilot program was reviewed by the County Civics Literacy Council and the county superintendent to determine if the program could be extended to all six middle schools in the next school year. The reviewers reached the following conclusions:
• Many units of county and state government were involved, but the county commissioner’s leadership was key.
• Interactive role play kept students’ attention – it was improvised on the spot by the adults involved.
• Students saw many adults taking their civic duties seriously – the connection with voting was important, as well as the practice voting.
• Students became more comfortable in buildings that they said scared them.
• There was both newspaper and TV coverage of each event.
Congratulation to the Wood County Commission and Commissioner Blair Couch on a job well done!
