WE the People Program

Local Teachers Attend Constitutional Training

August 16, 2005                                                                       Immediate Release

Approximately 15 teachers participated in training for the We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution (WTP) program on August 15 and 16 at the Jamestown Community College Olean campus.
The Robert H. Jackson Center sponsors the We the People program in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. Leading this training were Anita Griffin of Indiana and Katherine Sniffin of Connecticut.   
The goal of the We the People program is to enhance student understanding of the law, our Constitutional form of government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. The program’s curriculum meets NYS Standards in social studies for upper elementary, middle and high school students.
A distinguishing component of the We the People program is the culminating activity, a simulated congressional hearing in which students “testify” before a panel of judges.  Working cooperatively as teams, entire classes prepare and make oral presentations demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles.  
The students have the opportunity to evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues by responding to questions posed by a panel of judges.  The elementary, middle and high school teachers at the training were all encouraged to involve their students in simulated congressional hearings.
High school teachers may enter their classes in a hearing competition starting in their congressional district.  The winners of district competitions advance to the state competition.  Each state sends one class to the national finals in Washington, DC.
The We the People coordinator for schools in the tri-county area is John Ames.

Teachers attended from the following school districts: Bemus Point, Bolivar-Richburg, Cassadaga Valley, Cattaraugus-Little Valley, Chautauqua Lake, Falconer, Genesee Valley, Hinsdale, Panama, Portville, Salamanca, Springville, Wellsville and West Valley.  
This training was funded by a grant from the Center for Civic Education, the national sponsor of the We the People programs. It also received major support from the Jamestown-based Teaching American History program, the Robert H. Jackson Center and the NYS Bar Association’s Law, Youth and Citizenship Program.