September 17, 2007
State Legislators Kick Off the Nation's Largest Civic Lesson
Policymakers from all 50 states head back to school to visit young constituents.
DENVER - State legislators from across the country will meet with some of their youngest constituents this week. America's Legislators Back to School Program kicks off for its 9th year this Monday, September 17th and will run through the entire 2007-2008 school year. The program, sponsored by NCSL's Trust for Representative Democracy, encourages policymakers to visit the nation's classrooms to help students understand the importance of being an engaged citizen.
"The Back to School program brings civics to life for students across the country," said Jan Goehring, a program director with NCSL's Trust for Representative Democracy. "It helps today's youth understand how our government works and why they should get involved."
Each year more than 1,400 state lawmakers visit an estimated 320,000 students. Back to School is designed to help students understand the legislative process of debate, negotiation and compromise. It also helps legislators gauge how students feel about issues. Lawmakers and students interact in informal discussions, participate in mock legislative sessions or simulated public hearings, and even draft bills together.
Many notable and influential education and public service organizations endorse the program. They include:
American Association of School Administrators
American Federation of Teachers
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
Center for Civic Education
Center on Congress at Indiana University
Close Up Foundation
Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy
National Association of Elementary School Principals
National Association of Secondary School Principals
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
National Catholic Educational Association
National Constitution Center
National Council for the Social Studies
National Education Association
National Middle School Association
National School Boards Association
Reading Recovery Council of North America
The Dirksen Congressional Center
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislatures and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
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