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The learning outcomes for students in the Legislative Semester include knowledge common to most government and civics courses, as well as transferable skills like public speaking, writing, and persuasion.
The immersive nature of the course also enhances students development of higher skills for democratic engagement, such as civil discourse and active listening, and the use of parliamentary procedure.
Most essentially, students develop essential convictions (aka dispositions) for democratic citizenship. They not only learn the skills for civility and open mindedness, but develop a strong commitment to using these skills to navigate the disagreements and find common ground.
We see these three categories as interacting to create an experience that ultimately puts students on the path towards a lifetime of civic engagement. It is essential that teachers attempt to teach knowledge and skills in context that is supporting the development of convictions, rather than in isolation. We believe that this interaction is what leads to deep and lasting learning, and the transformative impact of the Legislative Semester.
The Legislative Semester is endorsed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as an example of a high quality curriculum for teaching government and civics. It is in Alignment with WI Social Studies Standards.
SAMPLE INTEGRATED LEARNING OUTCOMES
SAMPLE INTEGRATED LEARNING OUTCOMES
These learning outcomes are designed to draw on the intersection of knowledge, skills, and convictions.
#1: Students will understand what core beliefs and values define liberalism and conservatism, and analyze their own position on the political spectrum.
Core Beliefs of major parties
Personal Political Identity
#2: Students will conduct independent research to learn about contested public issues, form opinions, and propose solutions.
Sources
Citation
Multiple Perspectives
Opinions and Solutions
#3: Students will use knowledge of the foundations of American Government to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of our democratic system.
Purpose of Government
Two Party System
Structure: Branches, Checks and Balances, Federalism, Majority/Minority relations
Legislative Process
# 4: Students will develop habits and values consistent with effective civic engagement and future participation in our democracy.
Civil Discourse
Reflection
Voting
Civic Engagement
#5: Students will effectively and persuasively communicate their opinions orally and in writing.
Ideas
Organization
Conventions
Oral Communication
SAMPLE LEARNING OUTCOMES BY CATEGORY
SAMPLE LEARNING OUTCOMES BY CATEGORY
Knowledge
Students will understand the process for creating new laws and policies.
Students will understand what core beliefs and values define the two political parties, and analyze their own position on the political spectrum.
Students will apply core concepts of democracy and American government to contemporary policy issues (eg federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, bill of rights etc)
Skills
Students will develop the ability to speak about their own opinions in formal and informal settings.
Students will know and be able to use the basic elements of parliamentary procedure.
Students will develop critical media literacy skills to evaluate online information sources.
Students will practice and utilize skills for approaching disagreements with civility.
Convictions
Students will seek to understand multiple perspectives on contested issues.
Students will value the deliberative process, including the role for common ground and compromise.
Students will respect a diversity of viewpoints.
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