Civic Education Washington State

We The People & Project Citizen
​We The People

The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program promotes civic competence and responsibility
among the nation’s upper elementary and secondary students. The We the People printed textbook's and Enhanced Ebook's interactive strategies, relevant content and the simulated congressional hearing make teaching and learning exciting for both students and teachers. The We the People curriculum is an innovative course of instruction on the history and principles of the United States constitutional democratic republic. The program enjoys active support from state bar associations and foundations, and other educational, professional, business, and community organizations across the nation. Since its inception in 1987, more than 28 million students and 75,000 educators have participated in the We the People Program.

Lunch at the Capitol!

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 72 judges with an excellent means of assessing students' knowledge and application to historical and current constitutional issues.​

One of the perks of competing in a Civic Education Competition is the free lunch of pizza, chips, soda, and Rice Crispie bars!

​You'll see Ben Simon walking around handing out Rice Crispies to the kids.