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The Florida Bar
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The Florida Bar
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Benchmarks: Raising the Bar on Civics Education
Benchmarks Overview
Amending Florida's Constitution: The Role of the Courts
Judge for Yourself
How to Judge Judicial Candidates
Could You Pass the Test?
Is It Unconstitutional? The Case of the Scarlet Tag
What the Law Means
Beyond Labels?
Register for the Benchmarks: Attorneys Teaching Civics Education seminar to be held at the annual convention on Friday, June 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Benchmarks Overview
An initiative of The Florida Bar and its Constitutional Judiciary Committee, “Benchmarks: Raising the Bar on Civics Education” is designed to give attorneys activities that they can use to teach the fundamentals of government and the courts to adult civic and community groups.
This is a critical mission and an important one for The Florida Bar and its members. An informed public is the best defense of a vigorous democracy, the rule of law and an independent, impartial and fair judiciary. Benchmarks aims to inform adults through engaging activities about judicial review; the Bill of Rights and reviewing laws to see if they are constitutional; facts and knowledge about U.S. government and the courts; and judicial labeling.
The program has several activities that attorneys can use when they speak to community groups. Each activity has an overview to outline how the activity should be presented and supporting materials, such as PowerPoints and handouts.
While attorneys are free to contact civic groups about making presentations, they are also encouraged to sign up with The Florida Bar’s Speakers Bureau to receive speaking engagements
Amending Florida's Constitution: The Role of the Courts
In this activity, participants learn about the methods of amending Florida's Constitution and the role of the courts in reviewing such proposed amendments. Participants work individually and in groups to examine past proposals. A warm-up exercise is included as well as a PowerPoint and two additional handouts. Estimated time to present: 30 to 40 minutes. Below are the links to an overview of the activity, which will guide your presentation, and all accompanying materials including a tip sheet on making a Benchmarks presentation.
Amending the Florida Constitution
Is It in the Constitution Warmup
Florida Constitution Amendment Handout 2
Florida Constitution Amendment Handout 3
Florida Constitution Amendment PP
Amending Florida's Constitution Answer Sheet
Tips for making a good Benchmarks presentation
Judge for Yourself
In this activity, participants analyze the role of appellate judges and evaluate the conditions under which they should be retained or removed from the bench. The activity includes two handouts and is guided by a PowerPoint. Estimated time to present is 30 to 40 minutes. Below are the links to an overview of the activity and all accompanying materials, including a tip sheet on making a Benchmarks presentation. The overview will guide you in the timing and delivery of the activity.
Judge for Yourself
Judge for Yourself
Florida State Courts
Application Nomination
Tips for making a good Benchmarks presentation
How to Judge Judicial Candidates
In this activity, participants will be asked to identify the qualities and characteristics that are most important in selecting judges. They will pick their top five considerations in choosing judges individually and then in groups at tables. A warm-up exercise is included as well as a PowerPoint and two additional handouts. Estimated time to present: 30 to 40 minutes. Below are the links to an overview of the activity, which will guide your presentation, and all accompanying materials including a tip sheet on making a Benchmarks presentation.
Overview of how to present How to Judge Judicial Candidates
Handout 1: Most Important Qualities/Characteristics of Judges (to be filled in by participants)
Handout 2: Chart showing of Florida's court system
Handout 3: Considerations in Electing Trial Judges
PowerPoint: How to Judge Judicial Candidates
Tips for making a good Benchmarks presentation
Could You Pass the Test?
In this activity, participants learn about their role as citizens and increase their knowledge of the U.S. and Florida constitutions. Two different formats are provided. Handouts include Test Your Knowledge bingo and questions from the U.S. Citizenship test. Estimated time to present: 20 to 30 minutes. Below are the links to an overview of the activity, which will guide your presentation, and all accompanying materials including a tip sheet on making a Benchmarks presentation. The overview will guide you in the timing and delivery of the activity.
Overview of activity and how to present: Could You Pass the Test? Option 1
Overview of activity and how to present: Could You Pass the Test? Option 2
Test Your knowledge Bingo
Citizenship Flashcards
Citizenship Test without answers
Citizenship Test with answers
Background paper
Tips for making a good Benchmarks presentation
Flipbook
Is It Unconstitutional? The Case of the Scarlet Tag
In this activity, participants will review the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and examine some factors to determine if a hypothetical law violates the U.S. Constitution. Three handouts are included and a PowerPoint about the Bill of Rights. Estimated time to present: 30 to 40 minutes. Below are the links to an overview of the activity, which will guide your presentation, and all accompanying materials including a tip sheet on making a Benchmarks presentation. The overview will guide you in the timing and delivery of the activity.
Overview of activity and how to present: Scarlet Tag
Bill of Rights
Hypothetical Case Study
Fictitious Statute
Evaluating Laws
Background Paper
Tips for making a good Benchmarks presentation
What the Law Means
In this activity, participants will review the role of the judge in the judicial branch and how this branch/official is different from other branches of government and other elected officials. This activity provides a practical, easy-to-understand introduction to judicial decision-making and judicial review. One handout is included and a PowerPoint on judicial review. Estimated time to present: 30 minutes. Below are the links to an overview of the activity, which will guide your presentation, and all accompanying materials including a tip sheet on making a Benchmarks presentation. The overview will guide you in the timing and delivery of the activity.
Overview of activity and how to present: What the Law Means
Quotes
Judicial Review
Tips for making a good Benchmarks presentation
Beyond Labels?
In this activity, participants explore the ways labels are used to explain judicial decisions. Additionally, they learn about the meaning and importance of judicial independence as well as threats to judicial independence in our democracy. Three handouts and a PowerPoint are included. Estimated time to present: 30 minutes. Below are the links to an overview of the activity, which will guide your presentation, and all accompanying materials including a tip sheet on making a Benchmarks presentation. The overview will guide you in the timing and delivery of the activity.
Overview of activity and how to present: Beyond Labels
Beyond Labels
Speaker Notes
Labels
Excerpts
Tips for making a good Benchmarks presentation
[Revised: 05-14-2013]
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