Teach Democracy

Mock Trial: Teach Democracy develops a hypothetical criminal case each year for local and state competitions. Teams of students prepare to take the roles of attorneys, witnesses, clerks, and bailiffs and present either a prosecution or defense case presided over by volunteer judges and scored by volunteer attorneys. Over 8,000 students participate annually, along with hundreds of volunteers.

Expanding Horizons Institute (EHI): EHI provides seminars and paid internships for first-generation, college bound youth in Los Angeles. Local businesses and agencies sponsor interns at their job sites.

Teach Democracy is known for a wide range of ongoing, direct programming for students from primarily underserved communities. In these programs, we emphasize active learning through deliberation, discussion, simulations, and role play. When civic content and skills are taught effectively, young people also develop civic dispositions including the belief in their responsibility to participate in democratic processes, the value of keeping up with current events, respecting one another, and valuing the rights of others.