Annual Student Government Day—April 5, 2019

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) is honored to sponsor and coordinate the 72^nd annual Student Government Day program to be held Friday, April 5, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. This statutory program encourages students from Massachusetts public and private high schools to learn about the structure of state government, to become engaged citizens, and to develop an understanding of the rights and responsibilities we share in a democracy.

Students will assemble at the State House where most will replicate activities of the General Court (Massachusetts State Legislature), while others will meet as constitutional officers and as members of the Supreme Judicial Court. Participation in Student Government Day involves all students in the democratic process of elections. The elected students will have the opportunity to give testimony before a legislative committee comprised of their peers, debate legislation on the floor of the House or Senate, or observe state government from the perspective of a constitutional officer or Supreme Court justice. The student Governor may have the opportunity to consider legislation on Student Government Day and determine whether to "sign," "return with amendment," or "veto" the bill. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) offers materials to support civics education in schools.

I encourage each high school to elect one student designee and one student alternate for Student Government Day. Please register your elected students and the adults who will accompany them by Friday, January 25, 2019. While the method of electing student designees and student alternates for Student Government Day may vary from school to school, we suggest following some standard procedures:

1. Elections should be school-wide, with candidates limited to juniors and seniors.
2. To allow more students the opportunity to participate, no student who has been the school's elected student designee or student alternate should run for re-election.
3. Elections should be conducted in the spirit of M.G.L. Chapter 6, Section 12M, which states, "Such elections shall be conducted under the supervision of the principals…and insofar as possible, shall be conducted as are elections of members of the General Court."

Administrators, faculty, and parents are also welcome to attend Student Government Day. If any student or adult who plans to come will need reasonable accommodations in order to participate in this event, please indicate that in the registration form. The Department will send all communications regarding this event via email to the school's Faculty Advisor (identified in the registration form). The Faculty Advisor will be responsible for sharing this information with the selected students. If you have any questions about Student Government Day, please contact Michelle Ryan, Student Government Day Coordinator, or visit the Student Government Day web site for a list of frequently asked questions and other event-related information.