Education
Education

‘We want to be heard’: students head to the polls in class exercise

Columbia High School Students head into the polling location in Atlanta, on Monday. The group of Columbia High School seniors will be early voting as a part of their coursework and to build familiarity with the electoral process. (DAVID BARNES / DAVID.BARNES@AJC.COM)
Columbia High School Students head into the polling location in Atlanta, on Monday. The group of Columbia High School seniors will be early voting as a part of their coursework and to build familiarity with the electoral process. (DAVID BARNES / DAVID.BARNES@AJC.COM)
By Marlon A. Walker
Nov 3, 2016

Classrooms across the country are engaged in discussions related to this year’s presidential election.

For some 18-year-old DeKalb County School District students, those discussions are being put to action. Field trips are taking students to the polls, allowing them to vote for the first time since reaching adulthood.

Students have been engaged in election conversations in civics and economics classes, discussing everything from presidential debate topics to the Georgia ballot measure on empowering the state to take over some schools.

“Our ultimate goal was to have them engage in the civic process and want them to become informed and engaged voters for the rest of their lives,” said Barbara Long, assistant principal at Ronald E. McNair High School. Long’s sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., has helped with voter education and registration in DeKalb County Schools.

ExploreRead the story at myAJC.com.

About the Author

Marlon A. Walker is an education reporter covering DeKalb County.

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