This landmark program, co-sponsored by the Center for Civic Education, engages upper elementary, middle and high school students in a curriculum designed to foster understanding of the institutions of American democracy, including the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing in which students “testify” (while they test their knowledge and confidence) before a panel of volunteer attorneys, educators and civic leaders.

See below for more information about:

 

Competition

Each January, the acclaimed We the People competition brings together high school teams from around the state. Students demonstrate their understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate, take positions and ultimately defend those positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues during a simulated congressional hearing. District competitions in Portland, Pendleton and Eugene precede the state final, which determines the team that will represent Oregon at the national competition in Washington, DC.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL!
Lincoln will represent Oregon at the We the People National Finals in Washington, D.C. (April 24-26)

  • 1st Place – Lincoln High School (Portland)
  • 2nd Place – Grant High School (Portland)
  • 3rd Place – Lake Oswego High School (Lake Oswego)
  • 4th Place – Franklin High School (Portland)
  • 5th Place – Junction City High School (Junction City)
  • 6th Place – Pendleton High School (Pendleton)

Click here to view and/or purchase pictures from the competition! (password: ClassLaw)

IMPORTANT DATES:
Oct 17 | We the People Coaches’ Workshop – Portland
Jan 12-14 | We the People District competitions – 5 events statewide
Jan 22 | We the People State competition – Salem
Jan 22 | Training for new We the People teachers – Salem
Apr 24-26 | We the People National Finals – Washington, D.C.

Check out this great video from David Douglas High School in Portland:

 

Non-Competitive

High School – students who would like to participate in We the People, but aren’t quite ready for competition, also have an opportunity to showcase their constitutional knowledge.  Demonstration Hearings are held during your district’s competition.

Elementary & Middle School – On Wednesday, June 2, 2010 select 5th-8th grade students have the opportunity to present We the People simulated congressional hearings to a panel of legislators, civic leaders and members of the State Champion We the People team.

This event is in conjunction with Project Citizen Showcase at the Capitol where simulated congressional hearings take place the following day on Thursday, June 3, 2010.  Project Citizen portfolios are displayed on both days.

Click here for more information about We the People & Project Citizen Days at the Capitol.

 

Rekindle Your Relationship With The Constitution

A We the People Workshop for High School Teachers

Who: High school teachers using the We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution textbook, teachers who wish they were, and teachers wanting to know more!

What: A day-long workshop organized so that teachers observe students compete in the state finals of the We the People competition, then participate in an interactive session with other teachers to review, debrief, dissect, and learn from what was seen.

When: Concurrent with the We the People State Finals.

Why: The We the People program is like none other. Students begin knowing little about the Constitution but leave owning it. At the culminating event – the high school competition – one school from each of Oregon’s five congressional districts competes for the right to represent Oregon at the national finals in Washington, D.C.

Teams compete in mock congressional hearings posing as experts testifying about the Constitution. Students are questioned by state and federal judges, constitutional scholars, and other civic leaders. And they respond with assuredness, authority, poise, and passion. It is unrehearsed. It is powerful. And it will knock your socks off.

Download the 2010 flyer to share with your colleagues!

 

District Coordinators

To learn more about the programs for grades 5-12, workshops, simulated hearings (both non-competitive and competitive), how to get free books, or report your hearings, contact your district coordinator.