The Legislative Scholar Program provides social studies, history, government and civics teachers from across Washington an opportunity to learn first-hand about the state legislative process and the ways in which the Legislature and the state Supreme Court interact. The program equips teachers with valuable resources and ideas to more effectively teach civics in their classrooms.
2014 Legislative Scholars
About the Program
The Legislative Scholar Program is a 5-day summer workshop in Olympia. It offers an interactive experience for teachers to gain an inside view of the legislative process and develop in-depth strategies for bringing meaningful civics experiences into their classrooms. The program is a result of the Washington State Legislature's commitment to increasing civic knowledge and education about representative democracy in Washington. The Legislative Scholar Program is based on the assumption that, as part of their representational responsibilities, legislatures must inform citizens of how legislative institutions and processes work.
Activities include:
- Meetings with legislators, Supreme Court Justices, lobbyists, and other policymakers
- Learning how the legislative, executive, and judicial branches interact
- Resource sessions with public and non-profit civic education organizations
- Interactive mock committee hearing
- Developing lesson plans and classroom activities about state government
Download the 2014 agenda here.
All program materials are provided by the Legislature. Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and most meals. Teachers can receive up to 30 clock hours (depending on final approval) through ESD 113.
This is by far the best training I've had on government. It was so comprehensive, so detailed, and so useful to me as a classroom teacher that I will recommend it highly to my fellow teachers without hesitation.
-Anthony Long, A.C. Davis High School, Yakima
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How to Register
The Legislative Scholar Program accepts up to 25 teachers every year on a first-come, first-serve basis. Online registration forms for the July workshop are available between April and late June. In completing your registration, please make sure to provide phone, email and mailing addresses where you can be reliably reached during the summer.
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Lesson Plans
A key component of the Legislative Scholar Program involves creating lesson plans based on information acquired during the workshop about the legislative process. At the end of the program, teachers spend a half-day session working in groups or independently to write lesson plans to use in their classrooms. Below are lesson plans generated by former Legislative Scholars and project ideas from other programs. Please feel free to use these materials in your own classroom, and let us know what works!
All Ages:
Making Public Policy
The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie
Day in the Life of a Legislator
Middle School:
Bill Drafting **
Bill Tracking **
Budget Balancing Simulation by the WA State Senate Ways & Means Committee
Budget Cuts **
Citizenship **
How a Bill Becomes a Law **
Elections, Bills, & The Budget **
High School:
Appreciating Democracy by Dr. Alan Rosenthal
Appreciating Representation by Dr. Alan Rosenthal
Budget Balancing Simulation by the WA State Senate Ways & Means Committee
Checks & Balances **
Citizenship **
Designing the Perfect World **
How a Bill Becomes A Law **
What Makes Lawmakers Tick? by Dr. Alan Rosenthal
**plans created by former Legislative Scholars
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Contact Information
For more information about the Legislative Scholar Program, contact House Coordinator Paula Rehwaldt at (360) 786-7993, or Senate Coordinator Emily McCartan at (360) 786-7016.
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