Secretary of State
Websites are Resources During Civics Month

(Frankfort, KY)  As part of Civics Month and the Civic Literacy Initiative of Kentucky’s (CLIK) efforts to increase civic engagement and literacy among Kentucky’s citizens, the Office of the Secretary of State is announcing updates to civics.ky.gov as a one-stop location for civic information across the Commonwealth.  The site features lesson plans for teachers, activities for students, resources for parents, and ways for community leaders to get involved.  The Office also maintains an active “Kids” site, which focuses on Kentucky and Kentucky Government.

“This website is an outstanding resource to better engage and inform Kentucky citizens,” remarked Grayson.  “I am particularly excited about all of the resources that we have for teachers.  No longer will they have to go to multiple locations to find relevant lessons plans for civics topics.”

As part of last year’s Civics Month celebration, Secretary Grayson announced the launch of a new kids’ website, www.sos.ky.gov/kids, as an excellent resource for students across the Commonwealth, particularly those students who are currently studying about Kentucky in their classes.  The site includes information about Kentucky and its resources including history, geography and regions, important industries, and places to visit.  In one section, students can learn about famous Kentuckians and in another learn about the importance of agriculture, coal, and other Kentucky resources to the Commonwealth’s economy.  

            One section of the website is dedicated to Kentucky government so that students can learn how Kentucky’s laws are made.  Here, students can learn about elected officials from the federal delegation, Kentucky’s constitutional officers, and local elected officials in addition to the framework of Kentucky’s law making process.

            Both of these websites were borne out of a recommendation from the CLIK, a non-partisan, multi-year effort to enhance civic engagement and civic literacy within the Commonwealth.  As part of the initiative, numerous summits were previously held to determine Kentucky’s strengths and weaknesses with regards to civic education and engagement.  In September of 2006, Grayson announced the Workgroup’s publication Rediscovering Democracy: An Agenda for Action.  The Agenda calls upon Kentucky leaders to take four essential steps to increase the civic literacy and engagement of the Commonwealth’s Citizens:

1)      The establishment of the Kentucky Center for Civic Excellence in partnership with state universities or colleges; and

2)      The implementation of a pilot study of a high school government and civics course that integrates both civic literacy and civic engagement at the local, state, and federal level; and

3)      The creation of an annual teacher academy and network to provide professional development in the area of government and civics; and

4)      Increasing by five percent the degree to which government and civics are assessed in the blueprint of the statewide student assessment.

These recommendations, together with over sixty additional key suggestions, provide a blueprint for such a result.

These two websites fulfill a number of the additional recommendations by providing citizens, and notably teachers, with sites where they can find resources for civic education and engagement.  The civics.ky.gov site has a number of lesson plans from a variety of organizations divided by topic and age range.  It also highlights a number of initiatives and programs supported by CLIK and administered through the Office of the Secretary of State such as the Kentucky Student Mock Election, The Office of the Secretary of State Slogan and Essay Contest, and Constitution Day activities.

 “These websites further strengthen our efforts to increase civic education, literacy, and engagement in Kentucky,” said Grayson of the nationally acclaimed CLIK.  “Especially as we approach Election Day, I hope citizens will take a moment to think about the contribution they can make to our society by encouraging their fellow citizens to be involved.  These sites are an excellent way for Kentuckians to learn more about civics and to become engaged.”

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