CECH-UP

Introduction

The Local Government CECH-UP Program is a unique approach to teaching youth about local government.  The program is a partnership between Citizenship Education Clearing House (CECH) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, University of Missouri Extension, and the St. Louis Area City Managers Association (SLACMA).

Since its inception in 1996 the Local Government CECH-UP program has served students throughout the state of Missouri.  Thus far the Local Government CECH-UP Program has received high praise from those who have been involved.  Presentations on the program have been made at conferences sponsored by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), North Central Urban Extension Conference, Missouri National Education Association, Show-Me Conference, Missouri Community Betterment Conference, and the Missouri Council for the Social Studies.  In fact, this year a Community specialist will share the Local Government CECH-UP Program with a group in Northern Ireland.

Background

One of the primary goals of education is to prepare students to become more informed, active, and responsible citizens.  If citizenship education is to be effective, students must be challenged to practice civic participation and to address problems in their communities.  Although many may be disinterested in politics, they will often respond enthusiastically to opportunities to solve real community problems through academic learning, personal growth and civic responsibilities; to connect history and the principles of democracy with community problem-solving; to utilize resources that expand the learning environment beyond the teacher, the textbook, and the classroom.  There is evidence that experiences like these "strengthen not only civic attitudes, skills for active citizenship, and work force skills, but academic skills as well."  (Compact for Learning and Citizenship, A Concept Paper, Education Commission of the States, 1998).

The Local Government CECH-UP Program recognizes that most of  what students learn today in government classes focuses on federal and state government, and little on local government where most government decisions are made affecting citizens' everyday lives; that few curricular and resource materials are currently available to teach students about local government; that teachers are often not trained or prepared to teach the subject.

How The Program Works

The program is implemented by teams comprised of middle school teachers, University of Missouri Extension Community Development Specialist, and local government officials.  Training and on-going support are provided by CECH staff and other resource people.

Program Goals

• Teach student about, and involve them in local government

• Bring students into direct contact with local governments and local government officials

• Familiarize students with the jobs of city manager and other local government officials.

• Provided opportunities for students to research and discuss problems and challenges facing local government in their communities.

• Enhance the learning process by having students develop class, small group, and individual projects related to some aspect of local government.

• Provide schools with local government curriculum resources that can be tailored to local government and local issues.

• Foster the development of a Local Government CECH-UP Network among teachers, student, Extension field staff, and local government officials across Missouri.

CECH-UP is a Citizen Education Clearing Houses local government program targeted to Junior High students.  It includes units on county government, city government, special districts, taxation and planning and zoning.  It also gives instruction on community involvement and how difficult decisions are made in communities. 

This fall Tana Berger's Social Studies classes at the Princeton School are involved and Nathan Hendrich's Mercer students will be involved in the second semester.  This past year the CECH-UP program updated its brochure used featured the Princeton students who participated last year. 

Unit One County Government

 Mercer County Officials                                                                                                               

Presiding Commissioner                 Clifford Shipley                            748-3425               

1st District Commissioner               Shane Grooms                             748-3425              

2nd District Commissioner               Ken Wilson                                 748-3425               

County Clerk                                  Carolyn Kost                               748-3425               

Circuit Clerk & Recorder                 Patricia Stamper                         748-4335              

Treasurer & Ex-Officio Collector      Susan Moore                               748-3435                    

Assessor                                         Norberta DeMoss                        748-3511                  

Prosecutor                                     John Young                                748-3332               

Sheriff                                           Duane Hobbs                             748-3165               

Division II Circuit Judge                   Brad Funk                                 748-4232                                             

Division I Circuit Judge                    Andy Krohn                              748-3430

Public Administrator                        Carolyn Sealine                         748-3411       

Coroner                                          Michael Greenlee                     748-3319        

John Young talking about his job to Tana Berger's Social Studies Class

City Government

City of Princeton

Mike Greenleee                    Mayor

Leroy Brown                        City Superintendent

Keri Stamper                       City Clerk

Jamie Powers                      Deputy City Clerk

Chad Snap                           Council Member

George Scurlock                  Council Member

Dee Hobbs                         Council Member

Russell Trainer                    Council Member

City of Mercer

Sheryl Thompson                   Mayor

Helen Martin                        Clerk

Bobby Thorington                Maintenance

Brandon Henley                   Council Member

Judy Barritt                        Council Member

Makella Hagan                     Council Member

Lyle Curry                          Council Member

Return to the Mercer County main page.
		University of Missouri  Extension Mercer County Jincksk@missouri.edu This page was last updated 09/14/2009