| Skip Navigation My NYSBA | | Join | Renew | FAQ | Online Store | Search | |||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
We the People: The Citizen & the ConstitutionIn December of 2003, the LYC Program of the New York State Bar Association became the New York State Administrator of the We the People Program of the Center for Civic Education.The primary goal of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is to promote civic competence and responsibility among the nation's elementary and secondary students. What makes the program so successful is the design of its instructional program, including its innovative culminating activity. The instructional program enhances students’ understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy. At the same time, students discover the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing in which students "testify" before a panel of judges. Students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues.Each year high school We the People classes are invited to participate in the We the People State Competition. Competition begins at the four Regional competitions. Top classes at the regional level attend the state finals. (see dates below)
Professional Development - click here for calendarTraining for teachers is available in a variety of ways:
TextbooksTeachers can receive free classroom sets of
textbooks by attending a training session of not less than three hours
in length.
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
Level I |
Level II |
Level III |
Congressional District Coordinators
The We the People Program is coordinated in each Congressional
District by a District Coordinator, and each of the four NY Regions also
has a Regional Coordinator.
The Law, Youth & Citizenship Program of the New York State Bar
Association has dedicated educators and attorneys that serve as
Congressional District Coordinators in our We the People: The Citizen
and the Constitution program. Duties include:
· Recruitment of
teachers
· Assisting with
Professional Development
· Conducting competitive
and non-competitive hearings
· Follow-up with teachers
using the program
Coordinators receive a base stipend with the opportunity to earn
additional funds through a variety of activities.
Important Dates for the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program
Regional Hearings: (click here for Class Roster - you must file a roster with your Regional Coordinator to be invited to Regional Hearings!)
Region I (Long Island); Jan. 10, 2009 - 3 teams advance
Region II (New York City); Jan. 8, 2009 - 4 teams advance
Region III (Upstate); TBA - 1 team advances
Region IV (Western & Central NY); TBA - 1 team
advances
New York State We the People Finals
March 7, 2009
Desmond Conference Center
Albany, New York
We the People National Finals
April 24-28, 2009
Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel
Arlington, VA
We the People District Coordinator Meeting
June 27-30, 2009
Wardman Park Marriott Hotel
Washington, DC
Related Files
class rosters (Adobe PDF File)