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Write Your Member of Congress
Through SGAP’s parent company, National Write Your Congressman, you can use the Constituent Opinion Ballot to write your members of congress about key legislation underway. NWYC provides small businesses with nonpartisan information and research on top issues and pending legislation in Congress.
America’s Legacy Book
The Foundation of Freedom
Written for middle and high school students, the new “America’s Legacy” book focuses on the text and history of the United States’ Founding Documents, including the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. Additional sections cover the elements of citizenship (how to be a good American citizen); the three branches of government and separation of powers; and excerpts from great American speeches. Interesting “Freedom Facts” and SGAP infographics are included throughout the book.
About Us
Established by National Write Your Congressman in 1992, the Student Governmental Affairs Program is a national nonprofit organization headquartered near Dallas, Texas. SGAP brings U.S. government and civics to life through a monthly newsletter that educates K-12 students about current legislation in Congress, presents pro/con perspectives from both sides of the aisle, and asks them to vote on the issues. SGAP supplements classroom instruction with nonpartisan educational materials that teach responsible citizenship through active participation. SGAP’s civics educational program is received by students in all 50 states and D.C., with about four million students having participated since its inception.
In 2019, SGAP received an Honorable Mention in the National Category for the American Civic Collaboration Awards (“Civvys”). Developed by the Bridge Alliance Education Fund, Big Tent Nation, and the National Conference on Citizenship in 2017, the Civvys Awards are among the most high-profile and visible aspects of the civic renewal movement.
Organizations We Partner With
Featured SGAP Infographics
2021 Student Voting Results
2019 Student Voting Results
2019 Impact Survey Results
2020 Student Voting Results
2020 Impact Survey Results
2018 Student Voting Results
Supreme Court Infographic
Are You Smarter than a New U.S. Citizen?
Political Parties Infographic
What’s New
SGAP Newsletter for December 2022 (Social Media + Minimum Wage)
2022 Midterm Elections: Red Wave Turns into Mix of Red and Blue; Dems Keep Senate; Control of House a Toss-Up at Press Time
DAYS AFTER AMERICANS voted in the Nov. 8th U.S. midterm elections, votes were still being tallied and control of Congress hung in the balance. Both sides waited on pins and needles for the results of races in states such as Arizona and Nevada to be announced.
However, on Sat., Nov. 12, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Democrats will maintain power in the Senate, thanks to Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) being declared the winner in her race against Republican Adam Laxalt in Nevada.
Cortez Masto received 48.77% or 487,829 votes while Laxalt received 48.11% or 481,273 votes. That’s a difference of only 6,556 votes. Lesson learned? Every vote counts!
Ideas for Teachers for December 2022
Issue 2: Minimum Wage
How Mass Media Impacts Government and Politics Infographic
Teacher Spotlight on Elizabeth Randolph (Post, TX)
Name: Elizabeth Howard Randolph, M.Ed.
School Name: Mullin Garza County
School Location: Post, TX
Subject(s) Teaching: Social Studies (History, Geography, Government, & Economics)
Grade(s) Teaching: 8th–12th Grade
No. of Years Teaching: 16
Elizabeth Howard Randolph, M.Ed., has been teaching social studies to middle and high school students at Mullin Garza County for the past eight years, which represents half of Randolph’s 16-year teaching career. Located in the small town of Post, Texas, Garza County Regional Juvenile Center is a secure lockdown facility which provides residential treatment, sex offender treatment, counseling and therapy, and detention for pre-adjudicated youth.
Ideas for Teachers for November 2022 Issues
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Issue 1: Student Loan Debt
- Should any student debt be canceled? If so, who is “deserving” of cancellation, and on what timeline?
- If all future students were provided with a pathway to a debt-free public college going forward, does that make student debt cancellation more or less reasonable?
- Why is the question over forgiving federal student loan debt so controversial?
- How have the opportunities in the job market for someone with a degree changed in the last 10 to 50 years?
- Is it important to have a significant number of young people attend college, including young people that are going to require loans to afford college?
SGAP Newsletter for November 2022 (Student Loan Debt + Puerto Rico Statehood)
What Are the Midterm Elections and Why Are They Important?
ON NOV. 8, during the 2022 midterm elections, control of Congress will be in the balance. President Joe Biden won’t be on the ballot, but many of the people elected to Congress in state and local offices will. And they will have a big impact on what he can get done for the remainder of his first term. The big question on everybody’s minds is: As a result of the midterm elections, which party will control the U.S. House and Senate?