National Deliberations for the 2024-25 School Year
Close Up and Stanford’s Deliberative Democracy Lab (DDL) will host online issue deliberations for students nationwide. The deliberations will take place virtually using Stanford’s online deliberation platform. Each event will be two hours total and include a synchronous deliberation followed by an expert panel.
High School Deliberation: October 25 (1-3pm EST)
University Deliberation: October 26 (1-3pm EST)
Middle School Deliberation: December 6 (1-3pm EST)
Requirements for participation: Every student will need to read briefing materials ahead of the event, log on from their own device with headphones, and complete pre- and post- deliberation surveys. Dates and times subject to change. Deliberation topics will be announced in the fall.
Navigating Challenging Election Issues at School
Customizable professional development for individual schools/districts
This professional development workshop is designed to help educators across all disciplines frame and respond to discussions about complex social and political issues. Participants will explore strategies for navigating controversial election topics; learn practical techniques to establish norms that foster empathy and civil dialogue; apply a values framework to multiple policy issues to engage in productive discourse; and develop the skills to lead students in a critical analysis of election media coverage.
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Civil Discourse Lab
Facilitating Challenging Conversations in the Era of Elections and Divisive Issues
July 10-12, 2024 | Washington, DC | Open to NNSP members and non-members
Join Close Up, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and Stanford’s Deliberative Democracy Lab this July for the Civil Discourse Lab. When crises and polarizing political issues emerge in our world, schools are expected to respond immediately with a curated message and a plan for action. This event is intended to give educators a framework and tools to foster open and authentic dialogue around the pressing cultural and political issues facing school communities. Educators are encouraged to attend in cohorts to create a comprehensive, community-wide strategy.
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NNSP Webinar: Confidence and Competence with Challenging Conversations
September 19, 2024
When crises and polarizing political issues emerge in our world, educators are often expected to facilitate dialogue with their students about complex, controversial topics. Focusing on strategies and resources needed to lead a school community through this divisive and polarizing time in our nation’s history, the webinar is designed to give all educators tools to create an inclusive classroom and school community that fosters thoughtful, deliberative dialogue around the pressing cultural and political issues facing our world.
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Learning Cohorts: Continuing Conversations in the Election Season
September 11, 2024 | October 3, 2024 | October 30, 2024 | Open to NNSP members and non-members
Engage in active conversation with educators from across the country as you navigate the first months of the school year leading up to the election. Consider best practices of engaging in civil discourse around challenging and controversial topics; share concerns, challenges, and successes with your cohort; and learn, grow and support one another through this unique period of our nation’s history. Each session will be moderated by Close Up, with a blend of best practices and topics that are brought forth by cohort members.
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2025 NNSP Annual Conference
February 5-7, 2025 | Washington, DC | Open to NNSP members and non-members
$650/members | $750/non-members
Join us in February for the NNSP Annual Conference on Community & Civic Engagement as we bring together educators from across the country to collaborate around the development of community and civic engagement programs in schools. The conference will provide educators with tangible examples of how schools can integrate opportunities for students to learn about issues in their communities, connect their learning to those issues, and create a student body with empathy, knowledge, and leadership skills to make meaningful change.
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