|
Lesson 1: Research a Bill
|
Students research a bill to get acquainted with major issues facing the
state and the manner in which such issues are handled in the legislative
process. Further, it allows exercise of the researching skills necessary
to analyze a bill while enabling students to establish a personal working
relationship with policy makers, policy influencers, legislative staff and
other governmental employees. Students are taught to recognize the
political factors and interests represented in a bill. Resource materials needed
Activities and procedures Students will choose from among bills currently before the legislature. Based on bill preferences, students will be grouped into teams of 3 or 4, for the purposes of researching the bill and forming team opinions about the bill. Students will be taught how to read a committee report, a current status of a bill report, and the bill itself. Students should have access to the state’s computerized bill referral system using the Internet or contacting the local Legislative Information Office. Each team will research its assigned bill by obtaining background information, and by interviewing legislators, staff, lobbyists, executive branch personnel, etc. Each team will then form a position on the bill, and write up a bill research report summarizing the information gathered and the supporting rationale for the position they have taken on the bill. Encourage minority viewpoints which will be reflected in the report. A class or school-wide presentation should be prepared and presented to share information on the issues researched. The following questions should be used by students to ask the questions of a supporter of the measure and of an opponent. They can also be used to question people who will be affected by the legislation.
|
|
|
Funding for the 2003 update and web project was provided by the
University of Alaska.
Gavel to Gavel Alaska Home Page |
