January 2006 Press Releases/
The Adventures
of Bill: The Real Life Account of How a Vermont Bill Becomes a Law!
Secretary Announces New Civics Resource
PRESS ADVISORY
This press release is available digitally at
http://www.sec.state.vt.us
Contact: Kathryn Mathieson For Immediate Release
(802) 828-2148 January 5, 2006
The Adventures of Bill: The Real Life Account of
How a Vermont Bill Becomes a Law!
Secretary of State Announces New Civics Resource
State House – Cedar Creek Room
The newest publication from the Secretary of State’s office – The Adventures of Bill: The Real Life Account of How a Vermont Bill Becomes a Law! will be unveiled in the Cedar Creek Room of the State House on Friday, January 6 at 11:00am. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz will be honoring area high school students who helped to create the book and speaking about the importance of getting our youth to understand and become involved in the legislative process.
Many years of research has shown that when students receive a civic education they are more likely to realize their civic potential and become participating members of our democracy. Students are more likely to read the newspaper, watch the news, write letters to government officials, participate in political discussions and activities, and vote when they receive an effective and sustained civics education. (CIRCLE Fact Sheet, November 2003)
The Adventures of Bill: The Real-Life Account of How a Vermont Bill Becomes a Law! is a comic-like booklet designed to make it fun to learn about Vermont’s legislative process. Students discover just how many people it takes to make a bill become a law and see how they can become involved.
Please join us as we present the latest in the series of civics curriculum materials produced by the Secretary of State’s office.
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PRESS RELEASE
This press release is available digitally at http://www.sec.state.vt.us
Contact: Kathryn Mathieson For immediate release
(802) 828-2148 January 6, 2006
The Adventures of Bill: The Real Life Account of How a Vermont Bill Becomes a Law!
Secretary of State Announces New Civics Resource
Montpelier. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz today unveiled the newest civics curriculum publication created by the Secretary of State’s office. The Adventures of Bill: The Real Life Account of How a Vermont Bill Becomes a Law, geared for 6th – 8th graders, is a comic-like booklet designed to teach students the legislative process.
Markowitz said, “Its wonderful how many classes visit the Vermont Statehouse each year. This booklet is designed to make that visit more meaningful, and to permit those students who do not come in person to see the legislature at work to understand how our laws are made.”
The booklet was conceived by Secretary Markowitz and then written in part and illustrated by three Montpelier High School students. Spencer Rothbell created the drawings and Aleah Starr and Kate Sease designed the activities. The students were recognized by Secretary Markowitz for their hard work and dedication to the project. Markowitz also recognized the contributions of Anne Winchester from Legislative Council for sharing her expertise on the legislative process as the book was being written.
“We want students to know how the legislative process works as they learn how to become active members of our democratic society.” stated Secretary Markowitz. “Students have the power to talk to legislators about ideas for a bill, attend committee hearings, and follow a bill’s passage through the legislative process. Hopefully this booklet will get students thinking about their role in our democracy,” said Markowitz.
Many years of research has shown that when students receive a civic education they are more likely to realize their civic potential and become participating members of our democracy. Students are more likely to read the newspaper, watch the news, write letters to government officials, participate in political discussions and activities, and vote when they receive an effective and sustained civics education. (CIRCLE – The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement Fact Sheet, November 2003)
The Adventures of Bill: The Real Life Account of How a Vermont Bill Becomes a Law is one of 5 curriculum booklets that the Secretary of State’s office has produced for teachers to supplement their civics curriculum. All the booklets meet Vermont’s educational teaching standards and can be viewed and ordered online at www.sec.state.vt.us or by calling Janel Johnson at (802) 828-1296.
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