Skills

Discussion and Civil Discourse Skills

• • Listening

    • Body Language

    • Paraphrasing to check for understanding

    • Follow up questions

  • Disagreeing with respect

    • Formal tone

    • No personal attacks

  • Clearly articulate ideas, with evidence and reasoning.

  • Use parliamentary procedure to structure discussion.

Research and Information Literacy Skills

• • Developing research questions

  • Source evaluation using lateral reading

  • Corroboration across sources

  • Role of bias in media

  • Accountability for accuracy. 

Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills

• • Analyze political issues. 

  • Evaluate ideas and beliefs on a variety of issues.

  • Compare their beliefs to ideological frameworks like the left-right spectrum.

  • Consider differing viewpoints.

  • Approach disagreements with an open mind.

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

• • Students gain skills unique to decision-making in a democratic society.

  • They work to compromise or build consensus about their proposals.

  • Explore shared values.

  • Use deliberation to seek solutions.

  • Approach public problems with a “public minded” orientation, rather than centering narrow personal interests.  

Leadership and Participation Skills

• • There are many appointed and elected leadership opportunities at the classroom and “legislature” level, including clerk, committee chair, elected leaders.

  • They gain the confidence to participate in civic life and believe in their ability to make positive change.

  • The program encourages broad participation, ensuring every student has their voice heard through various means, including small group work, writing bills, and presenting.

  • Promote political efficacy- the belief that students have the skills to engage and that their engagement can make a difference.