For a long time, I have been troubled by a seeming lack of understanding by young people of civic affairs. Not only nationally but in the state and particularly any understanding of how local government works.

This came, I believe, from an ever eroding teaching of civics in the school curriculum or, at least, civics as I knew it when I was going to school.

Admittedly, that was a very long time ago. I graduated from Northfield High School in 1957.

When I was there, we left with an extremely broad understanding of how the local, state and national government worked. We even learned how the government of other countries worked as well. We debated the theories of Karl Marx and the Soviet system. That was a very big deal in the days when Joe McCarthy was looking for communists under every bush and the Rosenbergs were nearing their execution date.

The school subscribed to the Weekly Reader which was read in class and articles picked out for discussion of national events.

We had a large contingent from the high school that visited Boys State at Norwich sponsored by the Legion to learn first hand how state government worked.

During the eighties and nineties civics teaching began to waste away as did comprehensive history courses. It became a mockery when our kids were asked the most common of questions. Many couldn't even tell in what century the Civil War was fought.

Now, I am glad to see that there has been considerable progress in bringing civics back into the classroom at least here in Vermont.

Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz just returned from the National Civics Summit in Minneapolis where she addressed national leaders in civics education and secretaries of state from around the country.

Ms. Markowitz released a report titled "The Impact of Civics Education on the Attitudes, Behaviors and Disposition of Youth." The report analyzes the effect of mock election programs on young people's attitudes about government, politics and their own ability to be engaged and active citizens.

She said "the report shows that the newest generation of Vermont adults will be more active and engaged than the ones before it. It also affirms the value of civic education programs and, in particular, mock election programs that teach kids the importance of voting."

In 2007 the Secretary of State's Office undertook a study of Vermont students to assess the impact of the Vermont Votes for Kids mock election program on civic attitudes, behaviors and dispositions.

With the assistance of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, the entire senior class of 2007 was surveyed.

Students answered questions about their participation in mock election programs during their school career and how they intend to participate in the democratic process in the future.

Students who were exposed to mock election programs were significantly more likely to say they are better informed about politics, understand the issues facing our country, and will vote in the future.

Students who accompanied a parent to the polling place scored even higher, confirming the belief that parental involvement is a key factor in shaping civic attitudes.

"These findings demonstrate the value of investing in civics education programs like Vermont Votes for Kids," said Ms. Markowitz. "When we teach young people the mechanics and value of voting, and provide them opportunities to develop and practice the skills necessary to be engaged citizens, we see results."

She continued, "It is our hope that the findings of the survey and this report will encourage educators, government officials, and opinion leaders to see the importance of civics education so that in future years every Vermont student is given an opportunity to participate in a civics education and mock election program."

The Northfield News wants to be a part of making kids aware of what is happening in their surrounding community.

This fall, we will be offering copies of the newspapers to civics classes in Northfield and Williamstown high schools so these young adults can become more aware of the government in their local towns and villages. If it will help children to start reading about local events, the offer stands as well for the elementary schools in Northfield, Roxbury and Williamstown.

The local weekly local paper is the last bastion for local news and could be the last to succumb to those who think that news is only found on the internet. We'd like to convince young people that we still have something to say and are willing to speak up to help show why we remain relevant.