Connect Academy kids learning how government works, first hand

Young adults and grown-ups have a tough enough time keeping up with the world of politics, but kids? They are professionals at it!
That is at least at Louisiana Connections Academy, the K-12 virtual public charter school open to students from across the state, where middle school students are taking part in a Youth Legislature program…for the third time!
Eighth-grade teacher Robert Handley teaches Louisiana History and wanted students to gain a deeper understanding of how government works. He decided to enroll his eighth-grade class in the Youth Legislature program where middle school students get a more hands on experience with political matters.
“The program allows students to take on the role of state government positions,” said Mr. Handley. “ Students get the chance to be mock governors, cabinet members, senators, committee chairmen, and even members of the press.”
Each month, Handley does Live Lesson sessions with his students online where they go over current agendas and have meetings regarding state issues. Currently, the young politicians are working on a final bill to submit to their fellow elected class leaders.
“ Bills will be presented and voted on,” says Mr. Handley. “The class-appointed governor is advised by his cabinet and he can veto bills if he chooses.”
Recently, one of the bills proposed was to make high speed Internet readily available to everyone throughout the state. With Louisiana Connections Academy being a virtual school, it is no surprise the bill was passed, said Mr. Handley. The next bill that will be discussed by the students will be a proposal to have each parish in the state upgrade their buses to include seatbelts.
“The students have done research on the cost of putting this proposal in place,” said Mr. Handley. “They have set a deadline for the upgrade to be completed and have fines ready for the districts that fail to meet this new law. It’s awesome to see how passionate the kids get with these bills.”
In the coming weeks, students will work on their oratory skills, proper rules of order, and how to behave in public as they vist the Louisiana State Capitol. They will get the chance to interact with other students from all around the state creating mock legislation. They will present, debate, and vote on bills from all the students.
“To see the students grow more knowledgeable in politics and set themselves up for a promising future contributing to our state is rewarding in itself,” says Mr. Handley.
Louisiana Connections Academy is currently enrolling for the 2014-15 school year, for more information and to see a calendar of upcoming information sessions around the state, visit www.LouisianaConnectionsAcademy.com