Legislative Scholar Program
Learn more about the Legislative Scholar Program, which allows teachers from across Washington to learn firsthand about the state’s legislative process.
About the program
The program is open to elementary, middle, and high school teachers, paraeducators, and those pursuing their teaching degrees. The goal is to equip teachers with lesson plans, resources, and ideas to teach civics more effectively in their classrooms. The program results from the Washington State Legislature's commitment to increasing civic knowledge and education about representative democracy in Washington. Participants can expect to receive 20+ clock hours.
Activities include:
- Learning how the legislative, executive, and judicial branches interact
- Sessions with legislators, judges, elected officials, and others involved in state government
- Resource sessions with public and non-profit civic education organizations
- Developing lesson plans and classroom activities with other educators.
Registration for the Legislative Scholar Program is free, and all program materials are provided. Registration generally opens at the beginning of June each year. The nonpartisan civic education offices of the Washington Senate and House of Representatives produce programming as a source of professional development and classroom resources for educators. The Washington State Legislature Civic Education Program is a certified clock hour provider. Due to the limitations of our platform, participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hear from past legislative scholars
"This program was highly recommended to me by the Seattle University Masters in Teaching Program. It lived up to its reputation and surpassed my expectations. I learned more about government in one week than I have learned all my life."
Jamie Carr
"This week was an experience I'll never forget. I am so excited to get back into my classroom and share with my students how well our government officials work together. I feel that I have gained new knowledge and renewed my passion for civics; I want to pass this interest on to my students and get them involved in the legislative process."
Jacqueline Marshall
"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
Video overview of the program
Questions?
Contact us at Civic.Ed@leg.wa.gov.