Organizing Capitol Forum Programs

Capitol Forum programs are organized on a statewide basis. In each participating state the program begins with a professional development workshop for teachers in the fall and involves classroom preparation within the context of the participating teachers' regular courses.

The centerpiece of the program in each state takes place in the spring when 80 to 100 students from 20 schools come to their state capitol as class representatives for an all-day forum.

Following the forum, student representatives return to their own classrooms to lead their fellow students in a dialogue on international issues. The program culminates each year in a balloting activity in which all students participate.

 

Who runs the Capitol Forum? Statewide Capitol Forum programs bring together a number of partners in each state, each making a unique contribution in order to bring the program to high school students.

  • The Capitol Forum is sponsored nationally by the Choices for the 21st Century Education Program at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies. Choices provides content materials, national coordination, and overall structure to the program.
  • The primary organizing responsibility is handled by astate-based organization in each participating state. Partners have included humanities councils, departments of education, international studies centers at universities, and world affairs councils.
  • The office of the Secretary of State in each participating state plays a key role as the host at the state capitol and the entree to public officials. The Secretary of State also lends the program public authenticity, helping students make connections between their classroom studies and the making of public policy.
  • A "lead teacher" (or leadership team) provides leadership to participating teachers. S/he leads two professional development workshops, prepares participating teachers for their leadership roles at the forum, leads the forum, and participates as a member of the program's organizing team.

Program Endorsements:The Capitol Forum is endorsed by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS).

Capitol Forum Calendar: This calendar provides information on workshops and forums associated with the Capitol Forum.

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