Since 1987 over 31,000 students and 1,000 teachers have participated in the National Finals. Over the years, more than ten thousand parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors have traveled to Washington, D.C., to celebrate the accomplishments of the students. In communities across America over 30 million dollars has been donated to ensure the success of the National Finals. The 29th Annual We the People National Finals will be held April 22-25, 2016 at the University of Maryland. Classes qualify for the National Finals by placing first in their state competition or through wildcard availability. We will also welcome a special Warren E. Burger class in tribute to Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. The competition will be conducted on the campus of the University of Maryland and in hearing rooms on Capitol Hill. During the National Finals students participate in simulated congressional hearings. Students testify as constitutional experts before panels of judges acting as congressional committees scoring the groups through a performance-based assessment. Each class is divided into six groups based on the six units of the We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution high school textbook. Each hearing begins with a four-minute opening statement by students and is followed by a six minute period of follow-up questioning during which judges probe students' depth of knowledge, understanding, and their ability to apply constitutional principles. The format provides students an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles while providing the seventy-two judges with an excellent means of assessing students' knowledge and application to historical and current constitutional issues.
While in Washington, D.C., students have the opportunity to explore our nation's capital, learn about government beyond the classroom walls, and meet with elected officials and other dignitaries. Travel, lodging, and tour arrangements for classes are managed by WorldStrides. The Center for Civic Education organizes all othe aspects of the National Finals.
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About
This site is brought to you by the Center for Civic Education. The Center's mission is to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy. The Center has reached more than 30 million students and their teachers since 1965. Learn more.
Center for Civic Education
5115 Douglas Fir Road, Suite J
Calabasas, CA 91302
Phone: (818) 591-9321
Email: web@civiced.org
Media Inquiries: cce@civiced.org
Website: www.civiced.org
