One Connecticut teacher reported back that the curriculum had been dramatically effective in engaging a particular student whose interest she had never been able to raise in the past. This student, the victim of an industrial accident, had been awarded a large cash settlement, a portion of which he would receive every year for the rest of his life.

Content that he would not have to find work after graduation, he had shown no interest in any classroom work or activities until she presented him with the Expression unit of The Bill of Rights for Real Life. She reports that he was very intrigued by the topic: the readings, the discussion of Supreme Court cases, and the civic values of tolerance and respect the lesson explores. Further updates on the study will be available when the beginning phase is completed in two months.

Additionally, The Bill of Rights for Real Life was pilot-tested and demonstrated to be effective prior to its final publication by 24 teachers from Louisiana, Montana, Kansas, Wisconsin, Washington, New York, Arizona, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Indiana, Utah, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Maryland and Virginia. Some of their comments are written below:

“My students showed a greater understanding after one day than they normally do in two days. These lessons WORK.”
“I have never seen my students so engaged before.”
“The video was excellent”
“The students were active and engaged in the process”
“Excellent current issue lesson”
“Great lesson overall”
“An excellent lesson – to the point.”
“Great discussion opportunities.”
“This was a great lesson for getting students to think critically about why the Bill of Rights is important.”
“My kids finally saw the relevance of the First Amendment when it comes to religion in schools.”