Capitol Forum Indiana

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Choices for the 21st Century |Aligned with State Social Studies Standards 

	Click HERE to view the 2009 Capitol Forum Indiana Student and Teacher Evaluation Report by the Center for Evaluation & Evaluation Policy (CEEP), Indiana University.

Why is Capitol Forum Indiana a worthwhile program for your school and students?

• "I think that from now on I will be more open to new ideas and think carefully and study it before making judgments." 

• "I will take the ideas I learned here and apply them for the rest of my life. I will look into things more, find out more about what is happening in the world."

• "It has made me more aware of how issues affect people and people’s viewpoints on them. I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with different students and to hear their thoughts."

• "I see even more importance in current events and I am encouraged to vote."

Above comments were from students from the 2006-07 program when asked how the program would impact their lives as a student, a citizen, a voter etc. 

Capitol Forum Indiana.....

• is a year-long, multi-state program that focuses on international issues and civic education 

• is a unique opportunity for students to learn about the US role in foreign policy and interact with other students and elected officials throughout the state

• is an interactive, student-centered simulation where the content and skills are aligned with the state social studies standards

• is led by two lead teachers who have been trained at Brown University.  They provide classroom support throughout the year

Capitol Forum Indiana Overview- What to expect for participating teachers and their students....

• Teachers attend two professional development workshops:

  •   Introductory Workshop in October to learn about the program and the deliberation process 

    • Teachers receive three free curriculum units from Choices for participating in CFI

  • Pre-Forum meeting in February 

• In the classroom: 

  • teachers need to use at least one of the Choices Units to familiarize their students with the deliberation process

  • teachers will prepare their students to participate in the Forum with lesson plans provided by the program.  The class will discuss the US role in foreign policy and create a class statement to be posted on the web.  The class will create a poster to illustrate their class statement.  These posters will be presented at the Forum and left on display in the statehouse following the event. 

  • teachers will select student representatives to attend the Forum event in March or April.

• Teachers and student representatives attend the Forum in March or April 

  • The Forum begins Thursday with a variety of activities, such as meeting government officials, touring the statehouse, evening reception, icebreakers and team building activities. 

  • On Friday students participate in breakout sessions to discuss specific themes (environment, immigration, terrorism, and trade) in US foreign policy.  Students will then have the opportunity to present different options in a simulated US foreign relations committee hearing. Students will then have the opportunity to dialogue with elected officials, policymakers and many others regarding foreign policy issues. 

• Back in the classroom:

  • Student representatives debrief the Forum event to the entire class. 

  • All students complete a ballot report which will be compiled with other participating states and disseminated to government officials, media, schools, etc. 

  • All students will also create their own "future" for US foreign policy which will be sent to government officials and posted on the website. 

• Logistics:

  • Mileage and substitute reimbursement is provided for teachers to attend the workshops and the Forum

  • 3 free curriculum units from the Choices Program is provided 

  • Lodging and food is provided by the program for teachers and students 

  • Graduate credit from the School of Education at Indiana University is available 

Home |CFI 2007-08| Highlights 2006-07 || Highlights 2005-06 || Highlights 2004-05 | | Highlights 2003-04 | Highlights 2002-03 |

Application |Staff & Sponsors |Questions

Choices for the 21st Century |Aligned with State Social Studies Standards