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

We Are Hiring

Our civic education program Learning by Hearings is growing and we are looking for a Civic Education Outreach Coordinator to join our team!

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Download Classroom Resources

Our Learning by Hearings resources are now released for use by teachers in high schools across Michigan. As part of the pilot stage, resources are linked behind an evaluation survey. All teachers accessing the resources need to fill a brief 4-question survey before being directed to the resource download page. This pilot evaluation will give us crucial feedback on our resources ensuring that they meet educators’ needs. 

Learning by Hearings: Outside the Classroom

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Image of students in the court room at State Oversight Academy

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.

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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

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Contact our Civic Education Specialist – Lauren Jasinski: ljasinski@wayne.edu

Additional Education Resources

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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!

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Levin Center YouTube Channel

We have a broad library of recorded events, panel discussions, and interviews accessible on our YouTube channel. 

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"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. 

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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!