High school students from Connecticut travelled to Hartford on Saturday, January 24, to participate in Connecticut’s We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution State Finals. Teams representing Greenwich High School, Trumbull High School, Wilbur Cross High School (New Haven), and Staples High School (Westport) were invited to compete at Connecticut’s Old State House after winning regional competitions. Each school took part in simulated congressional Hearings to present testimony in front of a panel of judges acting as a congressional committee. An awards ceremony, featuring author and Professor Dr. Matthew Warshauer of Central Connecticut State University, was held at Hartford Public Library.
FINAL RESULTS
1st Place – Trumbull High School
Team Leader: Social StudiesTeacher Katie Boland
2nd Place – Staples High School (Westport)
Team Leader: AP United States Government & Politics Teacher Suzanne Kammerman
3rd Place – Greenwich High School
Team Leader: Social Studies Teacher Aaron Hull
Honorable Mention – Wilbur Cross High School (New Haven)
Team Leader: Social Studies Teacher & AP Coordinator Brian Grindrod
“The breadth of knowledge showcased by participating students is truly impressive,” says Rebecca Taber, Director of Secondary Education Programs for The Connecticut Democracy Center. “We are excited to provide a platform for students to share passion for civics and competitive spirit to advance their constitutional knowledge. All of the teams performed exceptionally well.”
First-place Trumbull High School and second-place Staples High School are invited to the national We The People competition hosted by the Center for Civic Education in Washington, D.C., in the spring. In addition to ranking school teams by overall score, smaller Unit Teams from each school were awarded prizes for the highest score among their teammates and for the highest overall score in each curriculum section.
Each participating class completes an instructional program using the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum developed by the Center for Civic Education. Each class is divided into six groups, corresponding to the six curriculum units focused on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Students in each group study to become experts on their assigned unit, then testify before a panel of judges serving as members of Congress. Each unit has its own panel of judges, and within each unit, the group earning the highest overall score receives a Unit Award. Judges score student performance based on demonstrated understanding, application of constitutional principles, and oral communication.
The units of study are:
1. What Are the Philosophical and Historical Foundations of the American Political System?
2. How Did the Framers Create the Constitution?
3. How Has the Constitution Been Changed to Further the Ideals Contained in the Declaration of Independence?
4. How Have the Values and Principles Embodied in the Constitution Shaped American Institutions and Practices?
5. What Rights Does the Bill of Rights Protect?
6. What Challenges Might Face American Constitutional Democracy in the
7. Twenty-first Century?
The Connecticut affiliate of We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution is run by the Connecticut Democracy Center with assistance from State Coordinator and South Windsor educator, Erin Simcik. The program helps students learn about the United States government through classwork and independent research. The curriculum is an innovative course of instruction on the history and principles of the United States constitutional democratic republic.
Volunteer judges for the competition included professors of political science, law students, attorneys, educators, and members of the General Assembly who are passionate about the U.S. Constitution and intellectual inquiry. During the simulated hearings, judges evaluated students’ performance based on a set of criteria, including their understanding of the material, constitutional application, reasoning, ability to provide supporting evidence, responsiveness, and participation.
For more information, visit: https://ctdemocracycenter.org/our-programs/we-the-people/ or https://civiced.org/we-the-people
The Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) provides people of all ages with a lifetime pathway to active citizenship and the tools to take civic action in their communities. With a broad range of initiatives, including The Connecticut Network (CT-N), Connecticut’s Old State House, Connecticut History Day, Connecticut’s Kid Governor®, and We The People: The Citizen and The Constitution, The CTDC envisions a society where everyone is empowered to participate in our democracy. Learn more by visiting ctdemocracycenter.org
