This guide provides information for teachers as to how the essay prompt aligns with the Florida high school curriculum standards and how teachers may promote the essay contest in their classrooms. The Contest Rules explain submission requirements and relevant dates.

We hope you will encourage your students to participate in the 2026 Middle District High School essay contest. Some teachers will qualify for a $500 classroom grant, and the school with the most qualifying entries will receive $1,000. Accordingly, your students may ask for your contact information to include in their online contest Entry Form. In promoting the essay contest to your students, you may want to emphasize the benefits listed below and review with them or direct them to the Contest Home Page, which includes links to the Contest Rules and past winners' essays.

• Cash prizes for the top ten winners.
• Grants for teachers and school.
• Recognition ceremony at the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse.
• Opportunity to shadow a federal judge.
• Opportunity to create a writing sample for college and scholarship applications.
• Opportunity to develop research skills and learn more about the Declaration of Independence.

The Essay Prompt aligns with several English Language Arts and Social Studies CPALMS and BEST standards: CPALMS SS912.CG.1; CPALMS SS.912.CG.2; CPALMS SS.912.CG.3; BEST ELA Standard C.1.

The essays will be scored by lawyers, law students, and judges in the Jacksonville Division. Their decisions will be final. The essay graders will evaluate the essays based on the following categories, which directly align with CPALMS and BEST standards as indicated:

• Identification of Goal: An above average essay will identify an instance in which the student sought to accomplish a collective goal that required the student to create unity among a group of individuals with diverse or even competing interests.

• Explanation: An above average essay will explain the factors that led to the success or failure of the collective goal (i.e., compromise, flexibility, open-mindedness, mutual respect, etc.).
   
• Reflection and Advice: An above average essay will reflect on the reasons for the success or failure of the collective goal and, from those reflections, provide advice to others who may be embarking on a similar project.
   
• Writing Style & Proofreading: An above average essay will contain few to no punctuation, spelling and/or capitalization errors and use precise, topic-appropriate language and vocabulary.