Logo: Project Citizen

Simulated Congressional Hearings: Judges' Resources

Thank you for volunteering to judge a We the People hearing or competition. Your expertise and demeanor as a judge will greatly affect the quality of the simulated congressional hearing.
Please review the We the People textbook(s) and resources listed below. To suit local needs, the program allows for variations in hearing implementation from the school, congressional district, state, and national levels. The process may differ slightly depending on your state and grade level. Consult your We the People State Coordinator for local procedures.

The Scoring Rubric

The scoring rubric allows judges to evaluate both students' prepared oral presentation and their responses to follow-up questions.

The Textbooks

Simulated congressional hearing questions are organized in alignment with the units and material in the We the People textbooks. Below are links to electronic copies of these curricula. Contact Emily Voss or your state coordinator for password access.
Image
Level 3: High School
Image
Level 2: Middle School
Image
Level 1: Elementary School

Have More Questions?

We are happy to answer any questions about organizing simulated congressional hearings in your classroom or participating in competitions. The best way to reach us is via email.
About

CCE LogoThe Center for Civic Education is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating an informed and thoughtful citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy. We do this primarily through our flagship programs, We the People and Project Citizen, but we also provide high-quality, inquiry-driven curricular programs that bring civic learning to life. The Center additionally equips educators with professional learning that builds confidence and capacity to teach civics with depth and relevance, unlocks students’ civic agency by creating opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and share their voices through simulated hearings and other public forums. These initiatives build a national community committed to strengthening civic understanding and participation for all and root everything in decades of research and evidence. Learn more.

Center for Civic Education

5115 Douglas Fir Road, Suite J
Calabasas, CA 91302

  Phone: (818) 591-9321

  Email: web@civiced.org

  Media Inquiries: cce@civiced.org

  Website: www.civiced.org

© Center for Civic Education