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.

The Center provides free professional-development opportunities for elementary, middle, high school educators, university and college professors, members of the legal community, We the People Programs state and congressional district coordinators, and youth organization leaders throughout the nation and in selected sites throughout the world.

Since the inception of the We the People program in 1987, more than 28 million students and 90 thousand educators have participated in this innovative course of study. Several studies by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and Professor Richard Brody, Stanford University, indicate that students who used the curriculum "significantly outperformed comparison students" on every topic studied. The program enjoys the active participation of members of Congress, as well as support from professional, business, and community organizations across the nation.  Program participants can maintain contact with the Center and with one another through the We the People Alumni Network.

Advanced Placement (AP) Government teachers can help prepare their students for the AP Exam by involving them in the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program. Government teachers from throughout the nation recommend We the People.

Simulated Congressional Hearing Resources

High School Questions

Middle School Questions

Elementary School Questions  

For More Information see: www.civiced.org