Organizing Capitol Forum
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.
Organizing Resources for Capitol Forum
The following resources are organized to correspond with the organizing stages of the Capitol Forum. These resources are used by State Organizers and Lead Teachers.
Getting Started
- Organizer's Guide to Getting Started
- Program Prospectus
- Sample Budget
- Capitol Forum Brochure (Word)
- What Students are Saying
- History of the Choices Approach
- Ballot Report
Outreach and Teacher Selection
- Organizer's Guide for Outreach and Teacher Selection
- Capitol Forum Brochure (Word)
- Teacher Application Form
- Teacher Acceptance Form (Word)
- Ballot Report
- Sample Press Release (Word)
- Sample E-Mail to Colleagues (Word)
Introductory Workshop
- Organizer's Guide for the Introductory Workshop
- Introductory Workshop Logistics Grid
- Introductory Workshop: Sample Agenda (Word)
Meeting Packet Materials
- Sample Secretary of State Welcome Letter
- Program at a Glance–To Do List (Word)
- Considering the Role of Values—Activity
- Guidelines for Deliberation
- Deliberating the Pros and Cons of Policy Options–Activity
- Choices Units Request Form
- Evaluation Form—Introductory Workshop (Word)
Presentation Documents
- Introduction to Capitol Forum
- Program Goals
- The Choices Approach
- The Origins of the Futures
- The Year at a Glance
- Connecting the Class with the Forum
- The U.S. Role in a Changing World (Sample curriculum used in workshop)
- Curriculum Resource Book (from the Choices Program)
Pre-Forum Planning Meeting
- Organizer's Guide for the Pre-Forum Planning Meeting
- Pre-Forum Planning Meeting: Sample Agenda (Word)
- Pre-Forum Planning Meeting Logistics Grid
- Pre-Forum Lesson Plan and Resources
- Forum Packets—Materials Grid
- Class Statement Submittal Form (Word)
Leadership Guides and Resources
- Guide for Lead Teachers
- Breakout I Guide
- Global Issues Background Readings (Student texts from curriculum units published by Choices Program - one copy of appropriate title for each breakout leader)
- Breakout II Guide
- Senate Foreign Relations Panel Preparation
- Things To Do (Pre-Forum Planning Meeting) (Word)
Student Resources
- Global Issues Background Readings
Student texts from curriculum units published by Choices Program - one copy of appropriate title for each breakout leader- Student Worksheet
includes Futures in Brief- Reflection Log
- Evaluation Form—Pre-Forum Planning Meeting (Word)
- Media Release Form (Word)
- Role of the Fifth Student (Word)
- Instructions for Online Ballot - U.S. Role
Other Resources
Capitol Forum
- Organizer's Guide for Planning the Capitol Forum
- Sample Press Release (Word)
- Annotated Sample Agenda
- The Forum Day from the Organizer's Perspective (Word)
- Capitol Forum Meeting Logistics Grid
- Forum Packets—Materials Grid
Leadership Guides
- Guide for Lead Teachers
- Breakout I Guide
- Breakout II Guide
- Senate Foreign Relations Panel Preparation
- Sample Capitol Forum Agenda (Word)
Student Resources
Post-Forum Activities
- Organizer's Guide for Post-Forum Activities
- Post-Forum Lesson Plan and Resources
- Instructions for Online Ballot - U.S. Role
- Online Ballot - U.S. Role (web page)
- Printed Copy of Online Ballot
Only for use in class; ballot must be entered online.
A copy of the Capitol Forum Curiculum Resource Book is available as a pdf.
