We the People...Project Citizen
We the People: Project Citizen is a curricular program for middle grade students that promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government. The program helps young people learn how to monitor and influence public policy. In the process, they develop support for democratic values and principles, tolerance, and feelings of political efficacy.
Entire classes of students or members of youth organizations work cooperatively to identify a public policy problem in their community. They then research the problem, evaluate alternative solutions, develop their own solution in the form of a public policy, and create a political action plan to enlist local or state authorities to adopt their proposed policy. Participants develop a portfolio of their work and present their project in a hearing showcase before a panel of civic-minded community members.
The Center for Civic Education administers the Project Citizen program nationally through a network of coordinators in 50 states, 435 congressional districts, 4 trust territories, and the District of Columbia. These
coordinators work with their members of Congress, business and community leaders, and local educators to contribute to the success of the program.It is funded by the U.S. Department of Education by act of Congress and is conducted with the assistance of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Additional funding at the state level is also provided by an
increasing number of state legislatures.Alaska Coordinator
Pam Collins
3271 Eastwind Court
Anchorage, AK 99516
phone: 907 345-2580
fax: 907 742-8260 (Sept-May)
email: mpcollins@acsalaska.net
email: (Sept-May) collins_pam@asdk12.org
Upcoming events:
Alaska Project Citizen State Competition
May 6th
Univ. of Alaska, Anchorage Campus Center8am-8pm
Showcase of Projects8-11:30
Teacher Training12:00-2:00
Judges LuncheonJudges begin evaluating portfolios and documentation binders
Friday, May 7th University of Alaska, Anchorage campus
9:00am
Opening CeremoniesSimulated Hearings and Portfolio and Documentation judging
9:45-4:00
Students will present their projects to distinguished judges5:00-6:00pm
Awards CeremonyThis year 8 Alaskan students will win an all expense paid trip to Salt Lake
City, July 21-23
to the National Showcase which is held in conjunction with the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) annual conference.