Koch family foundations and philanthropy are grounded in the belief that free societies are the greatest generators of social progress, sustainable prosperity and well-being.

Projects and Organizations| Bill of Rights Institute

"Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom."
– John Adams, 1789

The Bill of Rights Institute was established in 1999 to educate high school students and teachers about our nation’s Founding principles. A 501(c)(3) organization, the organization develops instructional material and conducts programs on the Founding documents and principles of the United States of America for high school American History and Civics students. The Bill of Rights Institute is the recipient of grants from the David H. Koch Charitable Foundation and the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation.

This summer, a new crop of outstanding high school juniors and seniors will participate in the Constitutional Academy, a program designed by the Bill of Rights Institute and supported by the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation for students interested in exploring critical questions about our past and future as Americans.

High Expectactions Meet Highly Motivated Students

The Constitutional Academy is a six-week distance learning program that culminates with a week in Washington D.C. Students read works by and about the intellectual Founders of America and then discuss the meaning and implications of these works under the direction of distinguished scholars and college professors. At the end of the week, students participate in a mock trial and must also write a term paper, the successful completion of which earns them three college credits.

The program has high expectations, but the highly motivated students who are accepted thrive in the environment. They get to dig into areas they are interested in at a college level, studying how historical documents and leaders impact the U.S. today. A presentation on "Principles of American Independence" leads to discussions about which rights the students feel are most important to them, while "A Constitutional Republic" prompts debate on how "free" speech is in their schools. "I could actually apply what I learned to everyday life," said a recent participant.

Another benefit is the camaraderie that develops with their peers who have similar academic achievements and talents. Students comment that they not only learn about government, but they also make new friends. To top it off, they are able to experience history where it happened.

Jay Shackett, a teacher from Golden, CO, who has been involved with the Bill of Rights Institute and the Constitutional Academy for several years, describes the week as "chock full of activities." The intellectual engagement is nonstop, says Shackett. "From seven in the morning until ten at night, they're engaged intellectually with the content and with their peers."

For the students, who live and eat in the residential halls at Marymount University, a typical day begins with a lecture in the morning, followed by an off-site visit in the afternoon and then evenings working in groups with the faculty preparing for the mock trial or their term papers. The trips include Monticello, Mt. Vernon and Gunston Hall. "The kids are learning about Jefferson while touring his home," says Shackett. "You see how it really captures their minds." Toward the end of the week, they visit the National Archives and, for most of these students, it's the first time they've been in front of the documents they've been studying and discussing so intensely.

The Bill of Rights Institute originally focused on providing resources for teachers. "I think branching out to students is an amazing thing," concludes Shackett. "It's incredibly refreshing to me personally to be around these kids and teach in an entirely different setting. Being with the kids and seeing them enjoy the content makes what BRI is doing with the program particularly neat."

For more information on the Constitutional Academy,
visit www.constacademy.org.

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