We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution

1
We the People The Citizen and the Constitution
A Photographic Retrospective 1987-2007
2
On September 16, 1987, about 140,000 people
gathered at the nations capitol to celebrate
citizenship and the American people on the
bicentennial of the drafting of the U.S.
Constitution.
3
In 1985, President Ronald Reagan named Warren E.
Burger, Chief Justice of the United States,
chairman of the Commission of the Bicentennial of
the United States Constitution.
4
From its inception, the Commission focused on
providing Americas young people with a history
and civics lesson to commemorate the
bicentennial of the Constitution.
5
The Center for Civic Educations Executive
Director, Charles N. Quigley (center), reported
during the Commissions second meeting in August
1985 that the Center had developed a national
high school program on the Constitution.
6
That program, the National Bicentennial
Competition on the Constitution and Bill of
Rights, was funded by the Commission from 1987 to
1992.
7
The National Bicentennial Competition on the
Constitution and Bill of Rights would use a
specially designed curriculum to reach more than
2 million students from 19871992.
8
The centerpiece of the program would be a
competition that would test students knowledge
of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
9
More than 215,000 We the People textbooks were
distributed for the National Bicentennial
Competition. About 4,000 teachers received
professional development in the program.
High School
Middle School
Elementary
10
Retired Chief Justice of the United States Warren
E. Burger presented the first-place trophy to
teacher David Vigilante (right) for Gompers High
Schools victory at the first competition on the
Constitution and Bill of Rights in April 1988 in
Washington, D.C.
11
In 1992, with the close of the bicentennial,
funding for the National Bicentennial Competition
on the Constitution and Bill of rights was
transferred to the U.S. Department of Education
and renamed We the People The Citizen and the
Constitution.
12
During its twenty-year history, more than 28
million students and 90,00 educators have
participated in the We the People The Citizen
and the Constitution program.
13
We the People enhances students understanding of
the history and foundations of the institutions
of American constitutional democracy.
14
Through their study of the We the People
curriculum, students discover the contemporary
relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
15
The culminating activity of We the People is a
simulated congressional hearing in which students
testify before a panel of judges.
16
During simulated congressional hearings, students
demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of
constitutional principles.
17
We the People students evaluate, take, and defend
positions on relevant historical and contemporary
issues.
18
Elementary and middle school classes conduct
noncompetitive or competitive hearings before a
school or community audience.
19
About 1,200 high school students and their
teachers participate annually in the We the
People national finals.
20
While in Washington, students visit historic
sites and museums, and meet with members of
Congress and other prominent officials.
21
The Educational Testing Service reports that We
the People is a great instructional success.
22
Independent studies by the Educational Testing
Service revealed that We the People students
significantly outperformed comparison students
on every topic of the tests taken.
23
Students involved in the We the People program
develop greater commitment to democratic
principles and values than students in
comparison groups.
24
According to researchers at the Council for Basic
Education, We the People students are
enthusiastic about what they have been able to
accomplish, especially in terms of their ability
to carry out a reasoned argument. They have
become energized about their place as citizens of
the United States.
25
The We the People program is one of the best
avenues for promoting civic virtue, leadership,
and overall academic skillsof students. John
Stofer, Principal, Ohio County
High School, Hartford, Kentucky
26
The program enables students to learn valuable
skills that will benefit them throughout the rest
of their lives. Most important, however, are the
things learned that will enable participants in
the We the People program to become better and
more active citizens. Rebecca Stevens,
Alumna, Michigan
27
I still get excited about government and
politics because of my experience with We the
People. I became a much more knowledgeable and
well-rounded person because of the
program. Alumnus, Massachusetts
28
We the People gives students an alternative to
the prevalent cynicism of American politics.
Amy Stulman, Alumna, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
29
We the People has given me more than I could
ever ask for valuable speaking, debating, and
researching skills, long-lasting friendships and
memories, and perhaps most importantly, direction
for my future. Patrick Matheny, Alumnus,
Findlay, Ohio
30
For more information about We the People The
Citizen and the Constitution, visit
www.civiced.org or call 800-350-4223.