Process

Project Citizen focuses on the role of state and local governments in the U.S. federal system. The curriculum involves students or members of a youth organization, in a series of structured, cooperative learning activities that are guided by teachers, organization leaders, and adult volunteers. Working in four cooperative teams, the students learn to interact with their government through a five step process that includes

• identifying a problem in their community that requires a public policy solution
• gathering and evaluating information on the problem
• examining and evaluating alternative solutions
• developing a proposed public policy to address the problem
• developing an action plan to get their policy adopted by government
  

Students’ work is displayed in a class portfolio containing a display section and a documentation section.

Simulated Hearings

Participating teachers and organizations are encouraged to hold a showcase hearing as the culminating activity for Project Citizen. Each of the four working groups prepares and presents a statement on its section of the portfolio before a panel of community representatives who act as legislative or administrative committee members. Each group then answers questions posed by the committee members. The format provides students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how public policy is formulated while providing teachers with an excellent means of assessing performance.
Every year, leaders of each state Project Citizen program designate one exemplary portfolio from their state to send to the annual Project Citizen state and National Showcase. This culminating event is held in conjunction with the annual staff meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). State legislators, staff, and other adult volunteers from across the nation serve as evaluators, determining the level of achievement attained by each portfolio.

Effectiveness

You Can Get Involved

The Center for Civic Education administers Project Citizen nationally through a network of state and congressional district coordinators in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  These coordinators work with government officials, business and community leaders, and local educators to contribute to the success of the program.

Teachers and youth group leaders can

• contact their state coordinator (see contact information) or the Center for Civic Education to involve their students in Project Citizen
• enlist state and local government officials, community and business leaders, and other educators to assist students in preparing their portfolios and serve as evaluators, speakers, and presenters at portfolio and hearing showcases

Government Officials can

• sign and present award certificates, speak at portfolio and hearing showcases, serve as evaluators, and welcome students to their offices
• discuss public policy issues with students in their classrooms and speak at teacher training workshops
• support the efforts of the local and state coordinators in all aspects of program implementation

Community, business, and professional associations can

• volunteer time and expertise by serving on advisory committees, providing leadership support, and serving as portfolio and hearing showcase evaluators
• provide financial support to help purchase program materials, underwrite local and statewide showcases, and send classes to local and state events

Contact
For more information on participating in the Project Citizen program, contact your state coordinator.

Joseph (Joe)  Webb
N.C. State Coordinator
1306 Sioux Drive
Jacksonville, N.C.  28540
(910) 389-05297 or (910) 455-2195
jwebb2@ec.rr.com                   

Michael Fishcer                                              Karl T. Kurtz
Center for Civic Education                               National Conference of State Legislatures
5145 Douglas Fir Road                                    7700 East First Place
Calabasa, CA  91302-1440                              Denver, CO  80230
(818) 591-9321 or (800) 350-4223                  (303) 364-7700
fischer@civiced.org                                          karl.kurtz@ncsl.org
www.civiced.org                                              www.ncsl.org