The Public Hearing
Developed by: Maine Council for the Social Studies

Grade Level: 5-8, 9-12

The MLR performance indicators listed below are for illustrative purposes. Depending on the focus of the lessons as developed by individual teachers, these indicators may or may not be addressed. Conversely this is not a definitive listing of all of the performance indicators which could be addressed in this lesson.

MLR: English/Language Arts: A-1, A-2, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-11; C-1; D-2, D-3, D-5, D-7; E-2, E-3, E-4; F-1, F-2, F-3; G-6, G-7, G-8, G-9, G-10; H-4, H-5, H-6, H-7, H-8, H-9

Task Description

Student will organize and participate in a mock public hearing. Students will draw a role from a hat (1-Chairman, 2-3 other Board members, applicants, abutters, neighbors - the number of types of participants would be determined by the class size)

This works when every class member has a role. Topics for discussion:

A factory wants to move into town.

The power company wants to dam the river that runs through or next to the town.

WalMart and RiteAid want to build in your town.

Your neighbor is evicting the residents of the trailer park you live in and wants to turn his land into a commercial area.

Student Product/Performance

The hearing format:

The Chairman opens the hearing, states why the hearing is being held, and describes the format that will be followed.

The Speakers (in order of their presentations) Applicant, Abutters (those owning the land bordered by the applicant) those in favor of the project, those opposed, and those who have neither opinion but which to offer other information, at least an opinion.

After everyone has spoken, the Board Chairman can close the public part of the hearing. The class can listen to the Board members discuss the hearing and come to a decision.

Resources

How to Conduct a Public Hearing from Maine Townsman, April 1976, 1998

Chairman's Aide Memoire for Conducting ZBA [Variance] Hearings

Rules for City Council Proceedings (can easily be used for conducting hearings or meeting situations)

Criteria for Evaluation

Questions may be posed to the students

                        1. What part of the hearing was really public?

                        2. Is there more needed to make it public?

                        3. Was everyone equally represented?

                        4. In your opinion - did any of the speakers have an advantage?

                        5. What did you like about your role in the hearing?