We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution

We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution is being implemented under the Administrative Office of the Court' s (AOC) Law-Related Education Division, a branch of the Department of Juvenile Services, managed by Patrick Yewell. Rachel Bingham, Professional Services Supervisor, serves as state coordinator. The program is endorsed by the Kentucky Supreme Court and has been in operation since 1993. Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert and AOC Director Cicely Jaracz Lambert have been unwavering in their support of the Center for Civic Education's programs, evidenced by their willingness to commit AOC resources to a variety of education projects.

Department of Juvenile Services
Division of Court Designated Worker Program and Law Related Education

The primary goal of We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution 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 nationally acclaimed civic education program about the history and philosophy of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights is funded by the U.S. Department of Education by act of Congress.

2005 Kentucky State Competition Results!!

State Champion:
Highlands High School, Julie Kuhnhein, Teacher

State Runner-up:
Ohio County High School, Randy Brown, Teacher

The foundation of the We the People... program is the classroom curriculum. It complements the regular school curriculum by providing upper elementary, middle, and high school students with an innovative course of instruction on the history and principles of constitutional democracy in the United States. The We the People... textbooks are designed for a wide range of student abilities and may be used as a supplemental text or for a full semester of study.

Critical thinking exercises, problem-solving activities, and cooperative learning techniques help develop intellectual and participatory skills while increasing students' understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy. The We the People... curriculum fosters attitudes that are necessary for students to participate as effective, responsible citizens. After studying the textbook, students take a multiple-choice test and prepare for the simulated congressional hearing. Upon completion of the course, they receive a certificate of achievement signed by their member of Congress or other prominent official.

Classroom sets include 30 student books, a teacher's guide, and an instructional packet containing the information and supplies necessary to complete the program. Free classroom sets are available on a limited basis in each congressional district in the nation. Additional sets may be purchased from the Center for Civic Education at a nominal cost.

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Hearing Questions

Teacher Participation Letter(88KB-PDF)

Participants hold a simulated congressional hearing as the culminating activity for the We the People... program. The entire class, working in cooperative teams, prepares and presents statements before a panel of community representatives who act as congressional committee members. Students then answer questions posed by the committee members. The format provides students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles while providing teachers with an excellent means of assessing performance.

Teachers may engage their students in the simulated hearing activity at the following levels:

• Elementary and middle school level classes may conduct noncompetitive hearings in front of a classroom or auditorium-size audience with community members acting as judges.
• Teachers at the high school level may conduct a noncompetitive hearing, but are encouraged to participate in the nationwide competitive program. School teams participate in a congressional district level competition usually in December. The winning class advances to the state finals in Frankfort, Kentucky in February of 2004, which is sponsored by the Kentucky Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts. After the state competition, the prevailing team will travel to the national finals in Washington, D.C.

Guidelines and Rules for High School Competition(32KB-PDF)

Each year the Administrative Office of the Courts sponsors a We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution In-service Training at the AOC in Frankfort, KY. There is NO COST for attending and free books are available.

Congressional district coordinators are the primary program administrator for each district. They provide program information to private and public elementary, middle, and high schools; and encourage participation in the program.

Find your congressional district 
List of District Coordinators(21KB-PDF)

The We the People Program is aligned to the Kentucky Educational Reform Act (KERA).

We the People Alignment with State Standards

Judges and attorneys are a necessary component of the We the People program. They witness first hand, the knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles that participants exhibit during the competition.

Judging Video available
A video has been created by the Center for Civic Education for judges to review. The video takes judges through the simulated congressional hearings and judging the competition. If you are interested in receiving a copy, please contact us.

Sample Score Sheet (191KB-PDF)
Reminders to Judges (72KB-PDF)
Rules of Competition (832B-PDF)
We the People Judge's survey (37KB-PDF)

For more information on participating in the We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution program, please contact Kentucky's State Coordinator:

Rachel Bingham, State Coordinator
100 Millcreek Park
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Phone: 502-573-2350
Fax: 502-573-0363

Contact Department of Juvenile Services