Rep. Kevin Brooks joined colleagues from across the nation to take part in an initiative to teach students the value of public service in a program created by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Rep. Brooks had the opportunity to personally meet with students from Cleveland Middle School and Arnold Memorial Elementary School. At CMS, students were encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and voice concerns, as Rep. Brooks communicated a greater understanding of the legislative processes necessary for developing effective public policy and engaged citizens. At Arnold School, Rep. Brooks visited Mr. Adam Moss’ 5th grade math, for an up-close and personal view of the new Tennessee standards at work in the classroom.
As many as 2,000 state legislators from states across the country participated in America's Legislators Back to School Day. Success of a pilot project in six states several years ago reached more than 4,000 students encouraged the National Conference of State Legislatures to begin the program in all 50 states annually.
“America's Legislators Back to School Day provides a unique opportunity for legislators and students to exchange ideas and explore legislative concepts face to face,” says NCSL Executive Director William Pound.
“I hope that by my participating in this event, I was able to shed some light on how the legislative process works, and also teach young people the importance of public service,” stated Rep. Brooks.
America's Legislators Back to School Day is a bipartisan event designed to teach young people--the nation's future voters and leaders--what it's like to be a state legislator: the processes, the pressures, and the debate, negotiation and compromise that are the fabric of representative democracy.
The program is a product of NCSL's civic education initiative, the Trust for Representative Democracy. Based on the ideas and fundamental principles set forth by the framers of the Constitution, the Trust is designed to engage young people and build their understanding and support for America's democratic institutions.