11/15/2011

“Counties Work,” a new online game created by iCivcs, interjects students into role of county officials and allows 6th through 12th graders to govern online

LITTLE ROCK — Students across the state of Arkansas and the nation are able to learn about county government through an online game and curriculum created by iCivics, Inc. and the National Association of Counties (NACo). 

 “Counties Work,” an interactive online game, educates students, grades 6 through 12, about the important role and functions of county government by letting them run their own county. A curriculum and webquest has also been developed to assist teachers with preparing lessons on county government.

“We encourage students and educators to play the game,” said Chris Villines, executive director of the Association of Arkansas Counties. “This online experience allows participants to gain an understanding of county government and to increase their perspective of what serving on the county level entails.”

While playing the game, students will be county officials responsible for providing services, dealing with citizen requests, setting and raising revenues, and working within a budget. Through the process, students will learn about the various services provided by county departments – such as road maintenance, law enforcement, courtroom and jail services, parks and recreation and library services – while having to make tough spending and tax levy decisions and face re-election.

“It’s vital for Americans of all ages to know how their government functions—at every level,” said iCivics’ Director of Outreach and Communications Kelly Landis. “Children who understand how our democratic system works today will be the informed and engaged citizens of tomorrow.”

 iCivics is a charitable nonprofit dedicated to preparing young Americans to become active and knowledgeable citizens through games and other dynamic learning experiences. Founded by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in 2009 to counter declining civic knowledge and engagement, iCivics seeks to reinvigorate civic education by providing educators with free resources that excite young people.

“County Works” can easily be found at www.arcounties.org, AAC’s, official Web site. Visitors should click on the “County Works” banner on the bottom right of the home page.

The Association of Arkansas Counties supports and promotes the idea that all elected officials must have the opportunity to act together in order to solve mutual problems as a unified group. To further this goal, the Association of Arkansas Counties is committed to providing a single source of cooperative support and information for all counties and county and district officials. The overall purpose of the Association of Arkansas Counties is to work for the improvement of county government in the state of Arkansas. The Association accomplishes this purpose by providing legislative representation, on-site assistance, general research, training, various publications and conferences to assist county officials in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of their office.