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.

Follow Marlon A. Walker on facebookFollow Marlon A. Walker on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

A graduate attends Clark Atlanta University’s 2025 commencement ceremony Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Georgia State’s Convocation Center. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

More Georgia teachers are getting free or cheap master’s degrees. Here’s how.

With teacher turnover rates on the rise, school systems and universities are partnering in a growing effort to recruit and retain Georgia educators.

Georgia school districts prepare for cellphone ban ahead of state deadline

Metro Atlanta schools will be using lockers, pouches and the honor system to keep students from using their phones.

Atlanta school board votes to extend superintendent’s contract

The school board has extended Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson’s contract, touting his “Back to Basics” approach.

The Latest

A graduate attends Clark Atlanta University’s 2025 commencement ceremony Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Georgia State’s Convocation Center. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

More Georgia teachers are getting free or cheap master’s degrees. Here’s how.

Atlanta school board votes to extend superintendent’s contract

Georgia school districts prepare for cellphone ban ahead of state deadline

Featured

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, seen here in a file photo from Nov. 14, 2024, is conducting a statewide audit of voter registrations targeting registrations at businesses and P.O. boxes for possible cancelation. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

New Georgia election audit targets voters registered at P.O. boxes and businesses

Georgia election officials are trying to find inaccurate voter registrations of people registered at P.O. boxes or business addresses.

Rent an apartment, or just a bedroom, at this new Atlanta skyscraper

Amid rising costs and changing lifestyles, Society Atlanta offers a co-living model designed to shake up traditional apartments.

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.