Tulare County History Day

Information for Judges

Typical Tulare County History Day judges examine bibliographies and process papers. The panel of three History Day judges confers briefly before watching a group performance. As they watch, they will jot down notes about the performance. At the close, these community members will interview the students. Prompting the students, they might ask, "Did you find differences in fact, opinions, or perspectives between some of your sources, and if so, how did you go about resolving those differences?" Finally, the dedicated judges confer and come to a consensus as to which two groups will advance to the California State History Day Competition.

What is History Day?
History Day is a theme-based research program that breathes life into California Content standards and Reading/Language Arts themes. The broad theme for 2008 is The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies. The program is designed to be used in the classroom at two level: process and competitive. All children can develop their potential and develop essential reading, writing and research skills through participation in Tulare County History Day.

Why Would I Want to Judge?
Judging History Day is a community service. Students need authentic feedback after they have worked hard on a project. They need to hear from adults who value the importance of history, that what they did matters. Students need to express their ideas to real people. Research shows that the more students interact with adults, the more likely they are to be successful. History Day is a community service that builds successful students.

Who Can Judge?
Tulare County Office of Education seeks judges who are knowledgeable about history and who appreciate the hard work students put into their research. We need Historical Society members, superintendents, teachers, parents, professors and community members at large to serve on panels of three judges.

How do I apply?
There are several ways to indicate your interest in judging. First, you could fill out and submit the online Judge Application form. Or, you could copy the form, and fax or mail it to Tulare County Office of Education. The contact information is listed below. Finally, you can call the Tulare County Office of Education at (559) 651-0680 and talk to the coordinator.

Tulare County History Day

How Can I Learn More About Judging?
Judges are welcome to come to the Coaches' Meeting for teachers on September 18, 2008. Dates and times are listed on the calendar/schedule.

Will There Be Training for Judges?
All judges will arrive at 8:00 the day of the competition for training. During breakfast, the judge trainer and captains will alert the judges to all the nuances of History Day judging. Those wishing to be Judge Captains will receive additional training prior to the event. Judge Captains must have judged for at least two years before becoming captains.

People who have judged tell us that it is a very rewarding experience. Come and join the ranks of History Day advocates. Come be a History Day Judge.

For more information, please contact Marsha Ingrao at marshai@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-0680, or Paula Terrill at paulat@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-0565.