Edward M. Kennedy Institute
Each year the North Andover Middle School sponsors a trip to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute
to engage in a model senate program. Admission to the institute is paid for by the taxpayers of Massachusetts.
Participation in a model senate would appear to be a great experience. For students to learn how governmet functions
first hand would be very valuable. However, the content of the offered programs appear more designed to influence
students thinking in a highly partisan direction more than simply having them understand how laws are passed.
Take these examples from the Program Offerings for Grades 6-8:
Pathways to Citizenship
Students learn about the challenges facing modern-day immigrants and work together as Senators to build a bill that defines a
pathway to citizenship for four groups of undocumented immigrants: DREAMers, farm workers, refugees, and a general immigrant population.
They aren't discussing whether they should have a pathway to citizenship, but rather are charged with crafting a bill creating one.
Also, note the categories covered, farm workers are brought in on temproary work visa's. Refugees are typically granted Temporary Protected Status
during whatever event has forced them to leave their country. General immigrant population? So no matter how someone arrives they should
be guaranteed a pathway to citizenship?
Today’s Vote
Students participate in a simulated U.S. Senate session and a live floor debate on an actual piece of legislation pending before the Senate.
Students will consider the issue from multiple perspectives, share their own ideas, and then cast their votes.
Groups can choose from the following topics:
The Electoral College Learn more about the history, function, and significance of
the Electoral College and why there’s a movement to end and replace it.
The Green New Deal Unpack a plan to reshape the national economy in order to better protect our planet from climate change.
Voting Rights Consider national legislative solutions to issues around voter access and election integrity.
Of course each of these pieces of legislation was pt forth by Democrats and faced fierce Republican opposition. While not specifically spelled out the
most signnificant "Voter Rights" bill in 2022 was the highly partisan "John Lewis Voting Rights Act." This bill would have granted sweeping
powers to the Federal Government to regulate elections, control redistricting and curtail states ability to require voter ID. It passed
the house on a pure party line vote, and was killed by fillibuster in the Senate where it failed to secure 60 votes to invoke cloture.
For the 2019-2020 school year NAMS students participated in the "Pathways to Citizenship" lesson, and in 2021-2022 they participated in the
lesson to end the Electoral College.