[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 58 (Thursday, April 10, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMENDING FINDLAY HIGH SCHOOL

 Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, on April 26, 2003, more than 1,200 
students from across the United States will visit Washington, DC, to 
compete in the national finals of the ``We the People: The Citizen and 
the Constitution'' program, the most extensive educational program in 
the country developed specifically to educate young people about the 
Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  I am pleased and proud to announce that a class from Findlay High 
School from Findlay, OH, will represent our state in the upcoming 
national event. These young scholars have worked conscientiously to 
reach the national finals by participating at local and statewide 
competitions. As a result of their experience, they have gained a 
thorough knowledge and deep understanding of the fundamental principles 
and values of our constitutional democracy.
  The 3-day We the People national competition is modeled after 
hearings in the Congress. The hearings consist of oral presentations by 
high school students before a panel of adult judges on constitutional 
topics. The students are given an opportunity to demonstrate their 
knowledge while they evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant 
historical and contemporary issues. Their testimony is followed by a 
period of questioning by the judges who probe the students' depth of 
understanding and ability to apply their constitutional knowledge.
  The We the People program provides curricular materials at upper 
elementary, middle, and high school levels. The curriculum not only 
enhances students' understanding of the institutions of American 
constitutional democracy, but it also helps them identify the 
contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Critical 
thinking exercises, problem-solving activities, and cooperative 
learning techniques help develop participatory skills necessary for 
students to become active, responsible citizens.
  Furthermore, independent studies by the Educational Testing Service, 
ETS, revealed that students enrolled in the We the People program at 
upper elementary, middle, and high school levels significantly 
outperformed comparison students on every topic of the tests taken. 
Another study by Richard Brody at Stanford University discovered that 
students involved in the We the People program develop greater 
commitment to democratic principles and values than do students using 
traditional textbooks and approaches. Researchers at the Council for 
Basic Education noted:

       [T]eachers feel excited and renewed. . . . Students are 
     enthusiastic about what they have been able to accomplish, 
     especially in terms of their ability to carry out a reasoned 
     argument. They have become energized about their place as 
     citizens of the United States.

  The class from Findlay High School is currently preparing for their 
participation in the national competition, and it is inspiring how 
these young people advocate the fundamental ideals and principles of 
our government--ideas that identify us as a people and bind us together 
as a Nation. I send these fine young constitutional experts my best 
wishes as they compete in the We the People national finals.




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