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A small grants program to enhance civics education
for middle- and high-school students in New Jersey
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The program provides $300 grant awards to eligible middle-school and high-school teachers of
government, civics, history, and other social studies classes. The grants are designed to help pay
for bus rental costs to take classes on a field trip to the State House in Trenton for a guided tour
and a first-hand examination of the legislature’s role in our system of representative democracy to
encourage civic participation in the American political system.
The State House Express program, now in its fifth year, is funded by the New Jersey Legislature
and is administered by the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University in collaboration with
the Office of Legislative Services at the State House.
Read/print the announcement with details on the program here.
TEACHING DEMOCRACY
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In
teaching about representative democracy in government, civics
and history courses, it helps if the students learn about the
lawmaking process while touring the State House. A special
tour has been developed by the Office of Legislative Services
for Eagleton's State House Express. It focuses on the legislature
as an arena where different public values, interests, and priorities
are deliberated and negotiated, and where settlements are
reached.
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VISITING
THE STATE HOUSE |
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The goal of
the tour is to teach students about the legislature's role in
representative democracy and encourage civic participation in
the American political system. On a typical tour students will
see the rotunda, Governor's reception room, General Assembly,
and Senate caucus room. Students may also participate in a "make-a-law" exercise
in which they will learn about discussion, negotiation, compromise
and voting in the enactment of legislation. Time permitting, they
may also engage with several multimedia exhibits located in the
State House Welcome Center.
Each teacher
will be asked to fill out an evaluation form at the conclusion
of the tour. Please note: The State House is a working office
building subject to periodic unannounced room closings, so
tour routes may be altered somewhat. Room closings are more
likely to occur on Mondays and Thursdays, while the legislature
is in session. |
New Jersey
State Assembly Chamber |
APPLICATION
PROCESS |
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Teachers may submit applications for the 2008-2009 program to Eagleton at any time during the
academic year – awards will be made on a rolling basis with decisions made as soon as the
applications are received.
Eligibility criteria are as follows:
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Awards are designated for students in grades 6 through 12. |
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Classes visiting the State House must consist of a minimum of 25 students. |
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Teachers who receive the award must schedule their tour of the State House with the Office of
Legislative Services in Trenton to take place during the 2008-2009 academic year (September
2008-June 2009). |
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All eligible teachers from public and private schools are encouraged to apply, including those
who have received awards in the past. Individual teachers are eligible each year. In special
circumstances, more than a single grant may be awarded to the same school. |
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Other school groups, who do not meet the criteria specified above, may also apply and will be
considered on a case-by-case basis. |
2008-09 Application available to mail or fax (pdf file)
2008-09 Application available to email (Word file)
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| SCHEDULING
THE STATE HOUSE TOUR |
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After the award of the grant and assuming the permission
of school and/or district authorities, a teacher may schedule
a tour by calling the Tour Office within the Office of Legislative
Services at 609-633-2709.
Teachers
must specify that they are coming as State House Express participants.
The program runs about two hours, but may be shortened on request.
Tours are subject to availability and limited to 50 people
per tour, which includes chaperones. The Tour Office will notify
the school district's legislators of the scheduled visit,
but the school must make special arrangements for any meeting
with legislators. The Governor and legislators do not routinely
meet with tour groups.
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For
further information, contact:
Gloria Minor
Eagleton Institute of Politics
Rutgers University
191 Ryders Lane
New Brunswick NJ 08901
732-932-9384 ext 245
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New Jersey State
Senate Chamber |
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