State officials are continuing efforts to gain an understanding of why few young people are showing interest in government, a factor viewed as a key reason for low voter turnout figures and dwindling involvement in government and community service.
On Monday, state and local officials, along with area high school students and others, gathered at Greenbo Lake State Resort for the first of seven regional summits to study civic literacy and public engagement.
The event was an outgrowth of an earlier statewide meeting on the same topic and was intended to generate a discussion on why more people aren't participating in government.
"What it's going to come down to at some point is government is going to have to seem more relevant," said Rep. Tanya Pullin, D-South Shore, who helped spearhead the project. "They (young people) must feel they're a part of government and can make a difference."
According to information provided by the secretary of state's office, voters ages 18 to 24 are the least likely to vote, and less than 23 percent of the state's registered 18- to 24-year-olds voted in the 2002 general election. Statistics also show that the level of volunteerism among Kentucky college students has declined by 11 percent since 2001.
Pullin also noted there are few numbers of people running for public office, particularly offices for local government positions like city councils and school boards.
Such figures prompted state legislators, as well as officials from the Administrative Office of the Courts, and Secretary of State Trey Grayson to take a look at why more young people aren't getting involved.
Pullin, along with Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Crescent Springs, introduced joint resolutions during the 2004 legislative session directing a state-wide summit be held to address the problem. The regional summits were planned during the 2005 session.
Pullin said officials have learned that many young people don't feel they're an integral part of the system, and their input doesn't matter. They also feel they aren't getting enough civics education.
Greenup County High School instructor Mary Lou Couch, who teaches history, said the state is headed in the right direction to address the problem. Couch, who brought students to both the state summit and Monday's event at Greenbo, acknowledged there is a lack of interest among high school students.
Boyd County High School students also participated in the regional summit, which gives students an opportunity to give input during discussions.
Couch said the lack of interest is partly due to Kentucky's broad-based social studies curriculum, which is somewhat lacking in civics lessons. Also, students simply aren't exposed to an opportunity to participate in the civic process.
"Much of it is a lack of opportunity where the community, family and schools aren't providing avenues of opportunity for students to become involved," said Couch.
Officials involved with the civic literacy project will use findings from the regional summits, once all are completed, to make curriculum recommendations to the state Department of Education.
Couch said students were able to lend their thoughts during both meetings, and such ideas should be prevalent in final recommendations.
"Our Greenup County students came back excited about the discussion," said Couch. "And we're looking for ways to get involved."