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THE NEW YORK
BAR FOUNDATION
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 New!!!

Level III High School text

Click here to learn more

We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution

In 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 calendar

Training for teachers is available in a variety of ways:

  • In-service sessions/workshops offered in Congressional District or regionally

  • In-service sessions/workshops offered through a school district

  • Regional/National Summer Institutes

  • All professional development sessions are offered at no charge

Textbooks

Teachers can receive free classroom sets of textbooks by attending a training session of not less than three hours in length.  
A classroom set includes 30 student textbooks, a teacher’s guide and an information packet.
Textbooks are available at three levels:

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 Level I
Upper Elementary
  

 Level II
Middle School
     

 Level III
High School
    

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)