Jeffersontown, KY – The nation will turn its attention to Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, on October 11, 2012, for this election’s only Vice Presidential debate. Kentucky Youth Advocates, Bellarmine University, Every Child Matters, and Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes are coming together to spotlight the needs of Kentucky children and bring the issues to classrooms across the Commonwealth with the “2012 Election: Debate Curriculum Daily Lesson Guide.”

“The future prosperity of Kentucky depends on the strength of our next generation. The children we see before us are our up-and-coming innovators, educators, and leaders. Their health, safety, and economic security today means they can succeed, and Kentucky can, too,” said Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates. “The 2012 Election Teacher’s Guide provides a perfect opportunity to help students – Kentucky’s future – learn more about the November election and the issues that affect them.”

“Kentucky is at its best when all citizens are engaged,” said Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, Kentucky’s chief advocate for civic education, “and we must implement fresh strategies to increase participation moving forward. Kentucky’s place at the forefront of this year’s Presidential election is the perfect opportunity to reach and involve people across the Commonwealth. I am excited to work with KYA, Bellarmine, and Every Child Matters to ensure that students of all ages can feel included in the democratic process.”

PhD candidates in Education and Social Change from Bellarmine University in Louisville have put together the lesson guide and accompanying student booklet and PowerPoint® presentation to help teachers prepare students for the debate and the election while adhering to content standards. Throughout the seven-day curriculum students will use different sources to explain and give examples of how democratic governments preserve and protect the rights and liberties of their constituents. Students will evaluate the impact citizens have on the functioning of a democratic government when they assume civic responsibilities and duties. And, students will evaluate how the U.S. government’s response to contemporary issues and societal problems reflects the needs, wants, and demands of its citizens.

The curriculum concludes with an assignment that requires students to watch the Vice Presidential debate in Danville at 9:00/8:00 pm CT on October 11. That same evening, at 8:00 EDT/7:00 pm CT, Kentucky Educational Television will air “Student Voices, Election 2012” an Education Matters roundtable with Kentucky high school students discussing the issues in the election important to them and their peers.

Download a pdf of this news release: Lesson guide on upcoming VP debate.