Pace University hosted the "We the People Citywide Competition" - 4 schools advanced to state January 10, 2007 __ Over 600 hundred New York City public high school students were hosted by Pace Univeristy as they presented issues concerning the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The students fielded questions by volunteer judges from the New York legal and education communtiies.
The four top scoring schools will represent New York City in the state competition on March 4th. Those schools are:
Stuyvesant HS Edward R. Murrow HS Townsend Harris HS Forest Hills HS
They will represent New York City in the March NY State competition to advance to National Finals in Washington DC.
"We The People" engages students in understanding how the US government is supposed to work
“We the People”, a nationally acclaimed program focusing on the Bill of Rights and the United States Constitution, enables students to study and display an in-depth understanding of the principles and values of constitutional democracy. Students participate in a Mock Congressional Hearing, debating constitutional issues before members of the legal community. Our New York City “We The People” program includes a multilingual competition making it possible for our English language learners to participate. Students speaking an array of languages, including, but are not limited to, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Spanish competed, enabling them to demonstrate their understanding of citizenship.
This program is generously funded by The Center for Civic Ed., the law firm of Weil, Gotshal and Manges, LLP and the Axe-Houghton Foundation.
HIGH SCHOOL In 2005-06, over 600 students have participated in the Mock Congressional high school competition. Edward R. Murrow HS placed first in the New York City competition, with Stuyvesant HS, Townsend HS, and Forest Hills HS also advancing to the state competition to be held in Albany in March.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL In 2004-05, 15 elementary schools participated in a Mock Congressional Hearing. Panels of judges visited each class enabling students to present their understanding of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. City Council member Dennis Gallagher, Debra Lesser and retired teacherMarge Collins judged the Forest elementary school team, in Ridgewood, Queens. They emerged as the first place first winner in the elementary school competition.
Results for the current year will be available in the Spring.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. PREAMBLE TO THE US CONSTITUTION
Workbooks are supplied by the program to students who participate in "We The People" hearings.
Four winning high schools are preparing for "We the People" NY State Finals
February 6, 2007__ New York City winning high school teams from Stuyvesant, Edward R. Murrow, Townsend Harris and Forest Hills will compete in Schenectady in early March for the right to represent New York State at the " We the People" finals in Washington DC. The Center for Civic Ed., the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and the New York State Bar Association have underwritten the NYC trip for the teams.
The four winning schools emerged from the New York City Competition hosted by Pace University on January 10, 2007. Pace professor Chris Malone is shown addressing the students in the picture at left. The Justice Resource Center coordinates the "We the People" program in New York City. Awards were presented to the winners by Justice Resource Center Chair Aldo A. Badini, partner Dewey Ballantine, LLP
In addition to the four that advanced to state, students participated at Pace University from six other high schools: Clara Barton, Flushing High School, James Madison, Midwood, Peace & Diversity and Queens Vocational & Technical.
The primary goal of "We the People" is to promote civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s elementary and secondary students. What makes the program so successful is the design of its instructional program, including its innovative culminating activity.
The instructional program enhances students’ understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy. At the same time, students discover the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing in which students ”testify” before a panel of judges. Students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues.
Each year, high school classes are invited to participate in the Mock Congressional hearing competition. New York City offers a citywide competition. The “top” four scoring schools advance to the New York State competition. The winner of the New York State competition represents New York State in the national competition held in Washington D.C.
