[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENISE L. MAJETTE

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2003

  Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, On April 26, 2003, more than 1,200 students 
from across the United States visited Washington, DC to compete in the 
national finals of the We the People: The Citizen and the 
Constitutional program, the most extensive educational program in the 
country developed specifically to educate young people about the 
Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Administered by the Center for 
Civic Education, the We the People program is funded by the U.S. 
Department of Education by act of Congress.
  I am proud to announce that the class from Lakeside High School, a 
DeKalb County school in my district, represented the state of Georgia 
in this 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 deep knowledge and 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 United States 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, 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.
  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 Lakeside High School recently participated in the 
national competition in Washington, DC. It was inspiring to see 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. It is important for future generations to understand these 
values and principles which we hold as standards in our endeavor to 
preserve and realize the promise of our constitutional democracy. I 
commend these young ``constitutional experts'' for reaching the We the 
People national finals: Teacher--Richard Barbe; Students--Jordan 
Bailey-Hoover, William Bretherton, Stuart Cardwell, Morgan Clemons, 
Matt Connors, Ann Elise Cutrer, Ross Elliott, Susan Fang, Katherine 
Fountain, Zack Goodman, Heather Greenfield, Shabbnam Jeddi, Erika 
Larson, Jonathan Lesesene, Jerel Lewis, Matt Lipkin, Cara Lynch, 
Courtni Mills, Munira Mohamed, Vishal Patel, Clarence Quarterman, Ryan 
Rice, Caitlin Roberson, Kyle Smithers, Callan Steinmann, Karen 
Usselman, Karl Weidenmann, Jackie Williams, and Ethan Wu.

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