Rules Committee
Each class section elects one student to be on the Rules Committee. This is one of the most important positions for the logistical management of the course, as members of the Rules Committee play a vital role in organizing all the major events of the semester. This committee facilitates the issue declaration process, runs the elections, appoints Committee Chairs, and forms committees. Before the Full Session, it determines which bills will be heard, and resolves questions or disputes related to the House Rules.
It’s about Trust
A critical function of the Rules Committee is to demonstrate that teachers trust students to manage significant and meaningful decisions which guide the direction of the course. This trust underscores how committed teachers are to democratic decision making. The committee in turn must earn the trust of the students they represent as they control and manage the key components of the curriculum throughout the semester. The emphasis of this committee is non-partisan collaboration. As teachers provide assistance to the Rules Committee early on in the semester, they work to convey the importance of the group working as a team and illustrate how important the impact of their leadership is in assuring a successful experience for all students.
The Rules Committee meets outside of class on a weekly basis, sometimes more often if needed. The committee is chaired by a student, and at least one teacher serves as a non-voting member.
The Rules Committee meetings are typically conducted using the standard rules of parliamentary procedure, but on other occasions it accomplishes its goals in another more dynamic fashion. Note how students from Wisconsin’s Middleton High School are fully engaged as they assign bills to committees. Note too, there’s not a teacher present in the room!