The Prairie Landscape

THE ILLINOIS HUMANITIES COUNCIL AND SECRETARY OF STATE JESSE WHITE ANNOUNCE THE FIFTH CAPITOL FORUM ON AMERICA’S FUTURE

08/07/2003

The IHC is currently accepting applications from Illinois teachers who want to participate in this unique program that brings public policy discussion into Illinois high school classrooms.

CHICAGO – TheIllinois Humanities Council is pleased to announce the fifth Illinois Capitol Forum on America’s Future, a program that provides an exciting opportunity to involve the state’s high school social studies teachers and their students in an examination of America’s role in a world that is constantly changing. Through a year-long current affairs curriculum, students address such issues as the environment, international conflict resolution, trade and the global economy, and immigration. Following classroom discussions of these topics, the year’s study of international issues culminates with the Capitol Forum in Springfield. This day, the centerpiece of the program, takes place in State Capitol where students representing high schools throughout the state present their vision for America’s future, report their concerns directly to local and state officials, and vote on what national and international concerns require the most immediate attention.

The Capitol Forum on America’s Future is a multi-state initiative of the Choices for the 21st Century Education Project at Brown University in Rhode Island. Illinois is one of six states chosen by Brown University to participate in its Choices initiative. The Choices format provides teachers interactive curriculum units that develop critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills. Teachers attend two workshop sessions to help them incorporate Choices materials into their curriculum and their classroom discussions. These workshops are organized to assist teachers in preparing students for the final debate in Springfield next April. The Capitol Forum program helps meet Illinois standards for Social Science.

Students and teachers alike are very enthusiastic about Capitol Forum. In the words of one Illinois teacher-participant, "[Capitol Forum] gave my students a chance to interact with students around the state and talk about issues they probably wouldn’t discuss by themselves." Student-participants agree. As one student explained: "I heard a lot of viewpoints that I wasn’t familiar with. It made me aware that my fellow citizens have a lot to say."

Brown University’s Watson Institute for International Studies developed the program and the Illinois Humanities Council and Secretary of State Jesse White are the co-sponsors. For more information on Illinois Capitol Forum on America’s Future or for an application, please visit www.prairie.org and click on "Programs." Information may also be obtained by calling (312) 422-5580. The application deadline is September 15, 2003.

D A R E T O K N O W
# # #