Important UpdateDue to the major health risks created by the coronavirus, it is with deep disappointment that the Center for Civic Education has decided to cancel the in-person portions of the 2020 We the People National Finals and the National Invitational. We are working on an alternative plan that will involve video hearings that are evaluated and scored by our expert judges. We will provide more information in the coming days and weeks. Read our full statement here.  Approximately 1,200 high students and 56 teachers from throughout the nation participate in the We the People National Finals. Around 1,000 parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors travel to Washington, D.C. to celebrate the accomplishments of the students.Over $1,500,000 is raised to ensure the success of this year's National Finals. The 33rd Annual We the People National Finals is held April 24-27, 2020 at the National Conference Center.
Classes qualify for the National Finals by placing first in their state competition or through wild card availability. We also welcome a Burger class in tribute to Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. The Burger class is selected from classes that meet federal guidelines defining high-needs students. During the National Finals students participate in simulated congressional hearings. Students testify as constitutional experts before panels of judges acting as congressional committees scoring the groups through a performance-based assessment. Each class is divided into six groups based on the six units of the We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution high school textbook. Each hearing begins with a four-minute opening statement by students and is followed by a six minute period of follow-up questioning during which judges probe students' depth of knowledge, understanding, and their ability to apply constitutional principles. The format provides students an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles while providing the 72 judges with an excellent means of assessing students' knowledge and application to historical and current constitutional issues.
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While in Washington, D.C., students have the opportunity to explore our nation's capital, learn about government beyond the classroom walls, and meet with elected officials and other dignitaries. Travel, lodging, and tour arrangements for classes are managed by WorldStrides. The Center for Civic Education organizes all other aspects of the National Finals. Since 1987 over 35,000 students and 1,000 teachers have participated in the National Finals.
