Intro to Model

Component 1:
Choose a Local Issue

Component 2:
Research the Issue

Component 3:
Analyze the Research

Component 4:
Develop an Action Plan

Component 5:
Take Civic Action

Component 6:
Assessment and Reflection

  Component 1:
Choose a Local Issue

Finding an issue which will truly engage your students is essential to the success of the model.  Generally, it's best to let students collectively make this decision.  The issue should be under the control of local authorities, of direct concern and interest to students and manageable within the time frame. Section III in the KAT Manual offers a full discussion of how classes might focus on or identify local issues.

How Two KAT Classes Used This Component

Skateboarding
Elementary students in Lower Merion Township, a suburb of Philadelphia, were disturbed to find out that many of them were breaking a law - a local ordinance - when they skateboarded in the street or on public sidewalks. They wanted to continue skateboarding, but they didn't want to be considered criminals. They selected this issue as their KAT topic, and started their KAT study.

School Safety
Pittsburgh's Woolslair Elementary School opens onto a major road with no barriers separating the youngsters on the front pavement from the fast-moving traffic and no signs warning motorists of a school zone or to slow down. This frightened the students, put them in dangerous situations, and made life very complicated when they were trying to get into cars and buses at the end of the school day. This problem therefore became the focus of their KAT research.

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