Education & School Reforms
A Resolution to Encourage OPM's Pathways Program to Create Guidelines for High School Specific Internships
The Federal Pathways Program aims to develop future government leaders but the internships central to the program are largely emphasized for college and law school students, leaving high school students with limited opportunities. This lack of early engagement and high competition for available internships means high school students often miss out on valuable public sector experience. The proposal suggests revising the OPM Pathways Programs Handbook to create clear guidelines for high school-specific internships, including eligibility criteria and recruitment strategies. This policy would offer high school students early career exposure, skill development, and a more diverse federal workforce while addressing the government's workforce shortages.
High School Pathways Internship Proposal
Establishing The Presidential Civic Youth Award
Civic engagement among America’s youth is crucial for the health and wellbeing of our democracy, but youth civic participation is extremely low due to factors like lack of awareness, limited opportunities, and insufficient recognition. This creates "civic deserts" where youth are almost entirely disengaged from the communities in which they live, diminishing any existing motivation and participation. Current recognition programs are limited and often state-specific, leaving a gap at the federal level. To enhance civic engagement among high school students, the American Youth Association proposes the establishment of the Presidential Civic Youth Award. This award, managed by the U.S. Department of Education, would recognize outstanding high school seniors for their exceptional civic engagement, community service, and leadership. It would also include a thorough selection process, awards in multiple categories, and offer awardees with mentorship, networking, and resources to support further civic initiatives.
