Capitol Forum on America’s Future is a yearlong program, offered as part of the social studies and civics curriculum, that creates a foundation for students’ long-term civic engagement through an exploration of issues affecting international, state and local governments.
Guided by their social studies teachers, students examine case studies and readings on policy issues such as immigration, climate change, genocide and nuclear proliferation so they can make well thought out decisions and take action as informed citizens of the 21st century.
Selected teachers receive free curriculum materials from the Choices Program at Brown University that complement their courses and meet the state’s standards for social studies and civics education.
Capitol Forum culminates in a public form each April at Illinois State University, Normal, where students deliberate case studies, meet with University professors and other experts on the issues, and engage in an options simulation with their peers from across the state.
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Any public or private high school in Illinois is eligible to apply. We encourage school participation from all areas of the state – urban, suburban, and rural. Civics, History, Government, World Affairs, International Relations, Economics and American Studies are ideal candidates for this program.
Applications for the 2018-19 Capitol Forum are available now. Deadline for applying is September 21, 2018; selected schools will be notified shortly thereafter. Fifteen to 20 high schools will be selected to participate in this year’s Capitol Forum.
There is a $50 registration fee payable to “Illinois Humanities” due upon notification of acceptance into the program.
Once selected, all participants, including returning schools, must agree to attend an introductory workshop in October, and a pre-Forum planning meeting in March. The Illinois Capitol Forum on America’s Future takes place in April. An administrator’s signature agreeing to the above is required.
The Choices materials, which Illinois Humanities provides to participating teachers free of charge, were designed to complement your course requirements. You can decide how much or how little is appropriate for your classroom situation. Choices materials meet state standards for civics and social studies in Illinois.
Immediately following the Forum, students and teachers will complete online evaluations. These evaluations help Capitol Forum teachers make improvements to the following year’s program, enhancing the experience for participating students. Once all obligations have been met, teachers and students will receive certificates of completion.