Civic Trustees Champion this 21st Century Approach

Press Release 2/28/18

PERTH AMBOY – The Perth Amboy Civic Trust today announced that Solutions Civics is moving forward in Perth Amboy. Solutions Civics is an innovative new approach to teaching civics. Students learn how to use new technology to identify evidence-based solutions to challenges facing their communities and our nation and how to use their rights to introduce their solutions to their city’s government decision making process.

The Perth Amboy Civic Trust praised the School Board for recently adopting its Solutions Civics pilot program for Perth Amboy High School. The program will be under the supervision of the Principal, Ms. Daisy Rodriguez, and Dr. Vivian Rodriguez, Assistant Superintendent of Schools.  The Citizens Campaign, which developed Solutions Civics in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, will provide the textbooks and other materials as well as assist in teacher training.  This will be done free of charge so there will be no cost to the school district. “I’m looking forward to our collaboration in this endeavor,” said Dr. Roman.

The Trust thanked Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Roman for his support of the initiative. Perth Amboy Civic Trustee Donna Stewart said, “Our goal is to ensure our students are prepared to be constructive participants in our city’s civic life and in our democracy. That is exactly what Solutions Civics does.” Solutions Civics is a ten-class teaching tool designed to fit into required American History/Social Studies classes.  It is being promoted as a best practice by the New Jersey Department of Education and has been endorsed by the New Jersey President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and major New Jersey urban school district superintendents.  In Philadelphia, The Citizens Campaign will begin piloting Solutions Civics in the fall of 2018 with the goal of eventual widespread use in high schools throughout that city.

With Solutions Civics, students learn:

• How to effectively participate in informed government decision making

• How to use new technology to identify evidenced-based, cost effective solutions

• How to obtain government information about current policies

• How to use their rights to advance practical proposals at government meetings

• How to use The Citizens Campaign’s proven 10-step, No Blame Problem Solving method

• How to craft a responsible proposal

• How to make effective, respectful presentations to governing bodies

• How to maintain a respectful pursuit of the solution to adoption.

The Perth Amboy Civic Trust is comprised of city residents who pledge to take a no-blame approach to leaving their city better than they found it. Civic Trustees come together in monthly no-blame problem solving sessions with support from The Citizens Campaign’s law and policy experts.

“Looking forward to our collaboration in this endeavor.”