About the Forum Curriculum

The Choices forums involve students within their social studies classroom and with other students beyond the classroom in authentic public venues. Statewide Capitol Forum programs involve students from schools across the state. After preparation in the classroom, students gather at their state capitol for a day of workshops and discussions that culminate in a forum with elected officials and policy makers. Locally organized forums take place in a range of settings.

Forums are organized around a central question. For statewide Capitol Forum programs that question is "What role should the United States play in the changing international environment of the 21st century?" The forum at state capitols in the spring is structured around a framework of four divergent perspectives—Futures—each describing a different role for the United States in the world today. Locally organized forums focus on this or a variety of related topics.

 

Curriculum Resources

  • The U.S. Role in a Changing World is a one-week unit that includes the Futures provide the focus for statewide Capitol Forum programs. This is also a good foundation for forum programs focused on specific topics.
  • Curriculum Units on Current Issues
    In order to bring content to this central question, students consider a variety of current policy issues. Topics can be selected from the range of current issues addressed by the Choices Program. Current topics include immigration, environmental policy, genocide, terrorism, the Iraq war, trade, nuclear weapons, UN reform, and relations with countries and regions such as China, Russia, Mexico, or the Middle East.
  • Curriculum Resource Book
    The Curriculum Resource Book is designed for use by teachers participating in statewide Capitol Forum programs. It is also useful for those who are running local or regional forums. It provides an overview of the program, a pre-forum lesson, guides used by leaders at statewide forums, and a post-forum lesson. The Capitol Forum Curriculum Resource Book is available from the Choices Program for a small charge. Contact us for details.
  • Student Views
    Students participating in statewide Capitol Forum programs submit a Class Statement prior to their forum. Following the forum at their state capitol, all students participate in a Student Ballot focused on a range of issues related to the U.S. role in the world. This is submitted online. A Ballot Report is posted online. After students have completed the ballot, they are asked to develop their own "Future Five" reflecting their own considered judgment on the question of our nation's role in the world. This ballot is also available for use in local or regional forums.
  • Additional ballots on a range of specific topics are also available.