For High School Educators
Through our Learning by Hearings high school content modules and after-school program , we provide high school students an opportunity to experience what it’s like to conduct fact-based, bipartisan oversight hearings.
Learning by Hearings: Inside the Classroom
Our in-class modules include plans and materials for inquiry lessons and in-class simulations, using noteworthy congressional investigations to bring to life principles of accountable governance and historic figures central to the development of our democracy. These classroom modules are suitable for use in US Civics and US History classrooms and are aligned to the MI High School Content Expectations and the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
Program Brochure
Great Lakes Social Studies Journal on Learning by Hearings
Download Classroom Resources
Download our Learning by Hearings resources for high school classrooms. Click on the button below to navigate to the download page.
Learning by Hearings: Outside the Classroom
This mock legislative oversight hearing experience allows students to role-play a legislator engage in a difficult investigation of an incident or issue that matters to the public. Students are given the resources to prepare for and conduct a hearing. Using research, critical thinking, and public speaking skills, students will examine the scenario, question witnesses, and then collaborate to determine and share the facts. All scenarios are based on hypothetical contemporary issues facing residents across the country.
Want to use our oversight experience in your after-school program? Get in touch to discuss our materials and download options!
Watch our short video on the "Learning by Hearings" model oversight hearing
Want to find out more about how the program works and why you should participate? Watch our 5 min video to find out more!
Listen to our "Learning by Hearings" podcast episode
Ben Eikey and his guests discuss our Youth and Government Oversight exercise program on this episode of our Oversight Matters podcast. Listen in to find out more about the program and hear from students who joined us in 2021.
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Contact Us
Christopher A. Hunter, Civic Education Outreach Coordinator – c.a.hunter@wayne.edu
Additional Education Resources
Portraits in Oversight
Scholars, educators, the public, and even legislators are not always sure what is meant by the term “oversight.” To help explain, we’ve compiled short portraits of important congressional oversight investigations as well as Members of Congress who set key oversight precedents or otherwise left their mark on the oversight world. Join us for a quick history walk!
Levin Center YouTube Channel
We have a broad library of recorded events, panel discussions, and interviews accessible on our YouTube channel.
"Oversight Matters" Podcast
Our “Oversight Matters” podcast interviews the people behind oversight investigations, journalists, oversight experts, and scholars. Listen now or subscribe in your preferred podcast app.
People-Centered Oversight
We are evaluating strategies and mechanisms that empower people to share their lived experience with government programs, and to provide direct data input and feedback to state legislative committees, agencies, and other oversight partners about the real-world impacts of government policies.
Our Partners
We are proud to work with our civic education partners in Michigan and beyond!
