Students Don't Need Motivation for Civics: They Need Confidence

Part one of my S5E33 Schoolutions conversation, Colleen O'Brien, Ed.D., discusses the critical role of civic education in fostering informed citizens. She argues that providing students with real civic experiences, not just textbook definitions, can shift their engagement from passive observation to active participation. Some Episode Mentions:Dr. Diana Owen, Georgetown University Civic Education Research Lab (CERL)Justice Anthony Kennedy Center for Civic EducationCommon Cause Civics for Colorado (formerly C3LE)Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC)iCivics National School Reform Faculty (student work protocol)We the People Project Citizen Citizen Nation90% of students say it's important to know how government worksMore Information & Upcoming Events from Colleen⏱️ CHAPTERS0:00 – Introduction: Anxiety vs. Apathy in Civics1:00 – Meet Colleen O'Brien2:00 – The Research: 90% of Students Want Civic Education4:30 – Core Beliefs of Civics for Colorado5:45 – The Voting Booth Moment: A Story About Student Confidence8:30 – Why Civics Education Is Uneven Across Colorado11:30 – The Cost of Low Civic Literacy on Society14:00 – The Three-Legged Stool: Knowledge, Skills & Action17:00 – What Justice Kennedy Said About Student Discussion18:30 – Confidence vs. Arrogance in Civic Participation19:30 – We the People Program Explained23:00 – Project Citizen: Student-Led Community Change26:30 – Civics Starts at the Elementary Level28:30 – Lightning Round with Colleen O'Brien29:45 – Wrap-Up & Preview of Part 2Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child. When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.