Every week, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections!
If Anyone Ever Tells You Your Vote Doesn’t Matter, Show Them This, Mic News: A summary a Demos report on why voting, especially for young people, matters for policy. Although we might argue that teaching people why politics matters is a better long-term solution to increasing voting than just registration.
The Thriving World, the Wilting World, and You, Medium: This is the written version of writer Anand Giridharadas’ recent speech at the Aspen Institute, in which he, rather spectacularly, challenges the notion that philanthropists can make the world’s problems better if they are making money through unscrupulous ways with one hand, and giving it away with the other. A must-read, and something that needs to be discussed more.
What the Privileged Poor Can Teach Us, New York Times: A Times op-ed on research about low-income students who attend private, privileged high schools, and how this influences their trajectory in life. An important read given that so much about succeeding in higher education has become how well you know how to navigate the system.
Bill de Blasio’s Battle to Save New York—and Himself, Vanity Fair: A definitive profile of New York City’s mayor, perhaps most interesting for asking the question of whether it’s possible for a mayor to govern with an ideology, or if voters really do just want the trash picked up on time.
Zuckerberg’s Expensive Lesson, New York Times: Columnist Joe Nocera reviews some of Newark’s recent educational challenges, in the wake of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg’s $100 million donation, and the lessons on collaboration for the larger reform community.