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"SHAPING AMERICA ONE VOICE AT A TIME"
The America I Want is a civics education initiative promoting individual voices, collective listening, and student engagement in high schools everywhere.
America is a teeming, raucous country with citizens from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of opinions. We want our high schoolers to be exposed to this diversity. Our civics program empowers students to articulate their vision for the nation, engage with their communities, and collaborate to turn their best ideas into actions. Through Linley's intuitive digital platform, students can connect with peers and communities via cell phones, computers, or iPads. They will explore two essential questions: "What is your vision for America?" and "What needs to happen to achieve that vision?" In addition, they will gather basic demographic information. The responses will generate a daily-updated word cloud, offering a visual representation of the collective vision of all participants. These word clouds, combined with the ability to cross-reference data, will serve as the foundation for deeper discussions in schools, within communities, and, eventually, between schools across the nation.
OUR LATEST NEWS!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our beta-testing phase for “The America I Want” program. Following two years of preparation with educators, designers, and programmers, Linley has partnered with Twinfield Union School in Plainfield, Vermont. Guided by civics teacher Chris Sheehan, we are testing our program to ensure its practical effectiveness. This phase places our program in the hands of our most crucial users: students and teachers. After completing this critical phase and implementing any necessary adjustments, we'll invite additional schools throughout Vermont to participate. A number of schools have already expressed interest. The final step is to roll out our program to schools across the country.
YOU TALK,
AMERICA LISTENS
At the conclusion of each interview with peers and community members, participants will be invited to record a brief video, if they choose. They will be asked to complete the sentence, "The America I want is…”. Selected recordings will be showcased in classroom discussions and at a community town meeting, where insights from the word cloud research will be discussed collectively.
Video Submissions from Around the Country
INFLUENTIAL VOICES:
LISTENING AND DISCUSSING
In a democracy people have the freedom to express themselves. Yet many in our country, especially young people and those from underserved communities, feel unheard. Our program unites leaders who are eager to listen. We ask them to discuss the pressing issues raised by students and their communities. We also ask them to share what they admire about their states, the unique contributions they offer, and how America might benefit from embodying these qualities.
CHALLENGING TOPICS
Many feel the American Dream has left our shores. How do we bring opportunity back home?
Diversity defines America. How do we get all Americans to embrace diversity?
Our Constitution never aspired to universal equality. How can it fulfill its promise to all?
A WORD CLOUD
BY AMERICA'S STUDENTS
VOICES OF OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES
Capturing Priorities: The Larger the Word, the More Often It Was Used.
UPDATED DAILY
BREAKDOWN
Age
Gender
Ethnicity
What we will accomplish
It has been said that America is too vast to know itself. We are undeniably large and diverse. The America I Want program is a step toward mutual understanding. Its strength lies in its local focus and its ability to facilitate statewide, regional, and national comparisons. Our aim is to spark a national dialogue, beginning in our schools and communities, using the visually engaging Word Cloud to kick off these discussions.
The potential for rich discussions and insights is immense. For example, all participating schools and their communities will contribute to a national Word Cloud, allowing each school to compare its aspirations with national trends. Schools will also be able to contrast their students' hopes for their country with those of their broader community. We will bring them together to discuss their similarities, their differences, and how to bring about change. Furthermore, schools will have the opportunity to compare their priorities with other schools within their state and, ultimately, with schools across the nation—from Maine to Mississippi and from Florida to Alaska. What better way to help American's get to know each other.
SPEAKING OUT
Each school’s participation culminates in a town gathering where students, community members, and elected officials discuss the visions highlighted by the word clouds. This event will foster a rich dialogue on differing perspectives and will explore realistic pathways to achieve the community’s aspirations. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with their elected representatives, discussing how their ideas can be transformed into actions.
If your school would like to participate in the great American conversation, contact us.
A CALL TO ACTION
Help Ignite the Conversation
Your contribution will supercharge thousands of students in high schools, equipping them with the tools to voice their vision, reach out to their communities, and dive into America’s noisy democracy. You might also want to sponsor your local high school. Discover the hopes and aspirations of young Americans in your community for their country's future.
