How much do you know about the structure of government and how it works (or is supposed to work)? If your answer is something like “not enough,” you’re not alone. Research last year by the Annenberg Public Policy Center revealed that most Americans can name only one of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment (free speech — there are four others); 22% thought the First Amendment addressed the right to bear arms (that’s the Second): and 17% could not name any of the branches of government.

For many of us, Schoolhouse Rock and high school civics classes were a long time ago. And neither would have prepared you for navigating the political landscape of Ohio today.

But some nonprofit organizations from around the state have collaborated on a refresher course. Summer School: Ohio Government 101 is a series of free, one-hour, online presentations.

What you can learn about Ohio government

The six-week course kicks off Monday, July 22 with Back to Basics: Ohio Government. It will cover the three branches of Ohio government, their roles and responsibilities, key players and organizations in the state and what citizens can do to get involved.

The other sessions are: 

• Your Voice, Your Vote: Navigating Ohio Elections (July 29)

• The People’s Process: How We Level the Playing Field (Aug. 5)

• Education Matters: A Closer Look at Ohio Schools (Aug. 12)

• Be The Change: Engaging in Ohio’s Civic Life (Aug. 19)

• Empowering Ohio Voters: Taking Action for a Better Future (Aug. 26)

All sessions are 7-8 p.m. This page has links for all of them. It’s not necessary to attend each presentation, but registration is required and recordings of each session will be sent to everyone who signed up.

Summer School is presented by the Red Wine and Blue Education Fund; ACLU Ohio; Equality Ohio; Honesty for Ohio Education; Innovation Ohio; and the Ohio Conference of the NAACP.

You can also keep up with state and city issues with Signal Cleveland’s explainers.