America's Legislators Back to School Program

2004 Evaluation Summary

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Lawmakers Receive High Marks from Educators!
February 2005

School principals, teachers and students gave state legislators an “A” for their work bringing civics to life for young people during America’s Legislators Back to School Week 2004, program evaluations show. Since 1999, state legislators have been venturing into classrooms as part of Back to School Week, the nation’s largest civics lesson. The week-long event encourages elected officials in all 50 states to meet personally with young constituents to answer questions, share ideas, listen to concerns and impart a greater understanding of the legislative process.

More than 1,400 state lawmakers participated in 2004 during the third week of September. They met with a record number of students, an estimated 320,000, to deliver this message: “Your Ideas Count!” Teachers and principals said students took their words to heart. Evaluations of the 2004 event show that 95 percent of teachers and principals overwhelmingly agree that after the legislator visit, their students gained a better understanding of representative democracy. They also agree or strongly agree with the statement, “A legislator visit to a classroom is a good way for students to learn about representative democracy (civics/government).”

"This program is an excellent way to introduce students to the legislative process,” said Aretha Hargrove Brown, Garrett Hall Alternative Learning Center in Greenville, Mississippi. “It is helpful for students to have an 'up- close and personal' presentation from someone who represents them.”

Students, too, were impressed. Evaluations show that 95 percent of the fourth- through sixth-graders enjoyed meeting a legislator. Eight out of 10 of the middle and junior high school and high school students agree that Back to School Week is a good program. A full 90 percent of the middle and junior high school students and 89 percent of the high school students agree that “A legislator visit to a classroom is a good way to learn about civics and government.”

On the topic of voting, 93 percent of the fourth- through sixth- graders indicated they would vote when they are old enough, and 83 percent of them said they would go home and ask their parents to vote. This positive response echoed in the upper grade levels as well. Eighty-nine percent of the middle and junior high school students and 93 percent of the high school students agree that they will vote when they are eligible. 

A majority of teachers, principals, students and legislators who took part in Back to School Week and filled out evaluations believe the program helps to promote civic education and break the cycle of cynicism toward elected officials and the lawmaking process. As individuals, community advocates and policymakers, state legislators can help teach the values of American democracy to young people.

Posted 2/08/05

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