Testing how Query loop works in WP block editor and Tempera The Nine Statewide Electeds: Here is a series of profiles featuring each of the 9 Statewide elected Executive positions held in Washington State government, complete with lesson plans that can be used individually, or as an all-in-one curriculum. It showcases the roles and responsibilities of each position. In each lesson, students will understand the importance of each elected official in the Executive Branch as well as the focus that the Washington State Constitution places on accountability and transparency. Additionally, each lesson comes with research opportunities for students to further investigate the role. Essential Questions: All Nine Episodes with Lesson Plans:
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What do you really know about Washington’s courts? This fall, Teach with TVW brings you The Judicial Branch EXPLAINED — a brand-new video series that tackles the most common misconceptions about the courts.From “What does the judicial branch do?” to “How does bail work?”, our short 5–7 minute episodes break down key concepts with real judges and courtroom insights. You’ll also find stand-alone videos explaining each level of Washington’s courts — from District Courts to the State Supreme Court. QUESTIONS TO THE COURT SERIES Washington State has a tripartite system of government; our three branches of government check and balance one another. Theoretically no branch of government is more powerful than the others, however it can be a delicate balance. Check out how people answer the question “What is the most powerful branch?” Essential Question: Discussion Questions: Lesson Plan: Coming Soon! “What does the judicial branch do” seems like an easy question to answer. But, because the judicial branch has many responsibilities, it can be challenging to sum up with a single answer. Check out how some of Washington’s judges clarify the public’s perception of their jobs. Essential Question: Discussion Questions: Courts of Limited Jurisdiction and Superior Courts hear both criminal and civil cases. Various people on the street had a clear understanding of the differences between the two. Scholars, however, add to the narrative by explaining the reasoning why some offenses are part of the criminal code and why some are civil matters. Essential Question: Discussion Questions: Most people can describe the basic differences between a prosecutor and a public defender, but do people know how they work together to protect the rule of law? In this video, hear the Office of Public Defense and the King County Prosecutor’s office explain how their offices are bound by the Revised Code of Washington and the Constitution to protect Washingtonian’s rights and their safety. Essential Question: Discussion Questions: Lesson Plan: Coming Soon! There are many steps that one must go through if they are arrested for breaking a law. In this video, Deputy Prosecutor Kelly Harris walks you through those steps from arraignment to sentencing. Essential Question: Discussion Questions: How much do you know about the juvenile justice system in Washington State? The juvenile courts are a division of the Superior Courts, and they focus solely on juvenile issues. The courts address both civil and criminal cases; the civil cases are primarily truancy, child welfare, and family services. When judges are dealing with juvenile offender cases, there is a concerted focus on rehabilitation, recognizing that youth’s brain development is still occurring and there needs to be a different form of sentencing happening than in adult court. Hear Thurston County judge, Indu Thomas, explain her work as a Superior Court judge in the juvenile division. Essential Question: Discussion Questions: The Constitution is the highest law in the state, and no law can go against the Constitution. One of the jobs the Supreme Court is tasked with is deciding whether specific laws that are brought before them are Constitutional or…
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The 105 day long session began on January 13, 2025. For the following four months, the 98 House members and 49 Senators grappled with climate and energy concerns, rising housing costs, the budget, and the paramount duty of the state, K-12 education, amongst many other important issues. Teach with TVW stayed in step with the action, creating short explainer videos showcasing how policymaking works in Washington state, from bill filing, to public testimonies and final passage on the House and Senate Floors. You can also sign up for our Newsletter and get updates on CC+ and other classroom resources. THE SERIES Final Act – The Governor’s Desk What power does the governor have in the Legislative Process? In the United States and in Washington State, we pride ourselves on our system of representative democracy and the checks and balances that help keep this system in place. With Sine Die, the bulk of the legislative branch’s work is finished for the year, and now the Executive Branch’s role in the legislative process begins in earnest. Legislation that passed both the House and the Senate is sent to the Governor for approval. The Governor’s signature acts as a check on the legislature; the governor will have 20 days after Sine Die to either sign or veto the proposed legislation. If they choose to do neither, the bills will become law without a signature. Of course the Legislature can override vetos with a 2/3 vote of both the House and Senate, but this check on the Executive Branch can be hard to achieve in a divided Legislative Body. Hear from former Governor Gregoire and former Governor Inslee explain how the governor is involved during the session, how they come to the decisions they do, as well as the bill signing powers they have. Class Resources: Essential Questions: WK14 April 21st-25th – Conference Committees There are many steps that a bill must go through to reach final passage. In order to reach the governor’s desk, a bill must be voted out of the House and Senate in the exact same language. If the Senate changes a House bill, the House can either vote to concur (agree) to those changes, dispute (send the bill back to its House of Origin), or ask for a conference committee. It is during this step of the legislative process that the House and the Senate collaborate to pass legislation. The majority party will have the most members on the conference committees, and they also have the majority of votes on the Floor. Currently, Democrats have the majority in both chambers, giving them legislative control over which bills make it through the legislative process. Learn more about conferences committees in this 5 minute video which features interviews with Democratic Senator Noel Frame and Republican Senator Drew MacEwen. Class Resources: Essential Questions: WK13 April 14th-18th – The Rules Committee There are many procedures and protocols that the Legislature follows to ensure that everything happens in a timely fashion. We have told…
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On The Issues is produced by Teach with TVW, the education wing of TVW, Washington’s Public Affairs network, in partnership with the Legislative Page Program. Each week throughout the 2025 Legislative Session Legislative Pages researched issues the legislators are working on and prepared questions to be brought to legislative leadership. Each topical collection below is bundled with a 20 minute lesson plan. Perfect for kick starting discussion in the classroom, and providing insight into the policymaking process. If you have 1 to 2 class periods, check out the comprehensive Legislative Committees lesson plan for a deeper dive, and facilitate class discussion and research across multiple committee topics. 1-2 PERIOD LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES LESSON PLAN In 1 to 2 class periods, this lesson plan introduces students to the issues that Legislative Committees address in a typical Legislative session. Students will have the choice of 11 different issues to examine, learning which committees address these important topics. Additionally, students will assess their own opinions and ideas that relate to the topics presented in the videos. Slide deck and documents can be customized for sharing, and distribution to your students. Objectives: Resources: FULL SERIES WITH 20 MIN LESSON PLANS Senate Housing Committee The Senate Housing Committee considers issues relating to: Overview: During the 2025 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity to interview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest. In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, and the Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on three important policies addressed by the House Education Committee. Essential Questions: 20 min Lesson Plan: Housing House Education Committee The House Education Committee considers issues relating to kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) education. Overview: During the 2025 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity to interview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest. In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, and the Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on three important policies addressed by the House Education Committee. Essential Questions: 20 min Lesson Plan: K12 Education Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee The Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee considers issues relating to: Overview: During the 2025 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity to interview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest. In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, and the Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on three important policies regarding college affordability in Washington State. Essential Questions: 20 min Lesson Plan: Higher Education House Early Learning & Human Services Committee The Early Learning & Human Services Committee considers a broad array of issues and services affecting children and families, including early learning; child care; child and youth development; child welfare services; children’s mental health; at-risk and homeless youth; juvenile justice; economic assistance programs; developmental disabilities; and long-term…
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The ELECTIONS EXPLAINED is a short explainer series showcasing all aspects of how elections work in Washington State, from the floors of the state conventions to the final counting of votes in November. Each video can stand alone, or they can be viewed as a series. Additionally, all come with lesson plans for easy implementation in the classroom. THE SERIES A hallmark of the Progressive Era, the initiative and referendum processes were amended into Washington’s State Constitution in 1912. The initiative process allows Washingtonians to directly propose new legislation that will go on the ballot for voters to support or reject, while the referendum process allows voters to directly reject laws already enacted by the legislature. University of Washington Law scholar, Professor Hugh Spitzer, describes the benefits and potential pitfalls of the initiative process. Essential Questions: Lesson Plan: The Initiative Process Debates between candidates have become an integral part of the election cycle. While millions of people tune in for the Presidential debates, the same cannot be said for the Statewide races, despite the fact that these debates are occurring and are televised or streamed so the electorate can be more informed. Viewers will learn about State Debates, the purpose of debates, what the electorate can learn from a debate, and how the media prepares to moderate a debate. Essential Questions: Lesson Plan: Debates Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of a functioning democracy. In the United States, elections are decentralized, and each state conducts their elections slightly differently. In Washington State, the State Legislature has passed laws that expand access to the elected franchise. Simultaneously, concerns over the security of the United States’ voting system have continued to grow over the last 10 years. One of the jobs of the Secretary of State’s office is to educate voters about the Electoral Process. Essential Questions: Lesson Plan: Election Integrity While the presidential election will dominate the media coverage, mainstream and social, and conversations in the classroom, who wins the Statewide Elections will directly affect your day to day life. This video will provide background information about the state of Washington races post the August Primary Election and pre the November Election. Essential Questions: Lesson Plan: 2024 Elections: What’s at Stake The August 2024 Primary Election resulted in Washington State’s closest statewide race in history! The race for who will be in the General Election for our Commissioner of Public Lands came down to just 51 votes, which triggered a mandatory hand recount. So, what do the County Auditors and their election staff, who count the ballots, do during a hand recount? How does the recount work? Essential Questions: Secretary of State’s Office: Recount Rules Article: 2004 Governor’s ElectionStatewide Standards on What is a Vote: Manual Every year, Washington residents receive a Voters’ Pamphlet in their mailbox prior to the election. Along with the Video Voters Guide produced by TVW, the Voters’ Pamphlet is a powerful tool for Washingtonians, allowing them to hear from the candidates in their own words,…
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Each week of the legislative session, Legislative Pages research, and bring questions to Democrat and Republican leadership, getting you both sides of the issues in this 5-7 min video shorts series. Each accompanied by a 20 min lesson plan or – Have a full class period? Give your students a deeper understanding of the legislative committee process with the Legislative Committees Lesson Plan. THE 2024 SERIES ENVIRONMENT Overview: During the 2024 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity tointerview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest.In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, andthe Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on two important policies surroundingHousing and Homelessness: affordable housing and housing availability. Essential Questions: 20 minute The Environment Lesson Plan HOUSING Overview: During the 2024 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity tointerview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest.In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, andthe Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on two important policies surroundingHousing and Homelessness: affordable housing and housing availability. Essential Questions: 20 minute Housing Lesson Plan MENTAL HEALTH Overview: During the 2024 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity tointerview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest.In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, andthe Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on two important policies surrounding HealthCare: youth mental health care, and social media’s effect on mental health. Essential Questions: 20 minute Mental Health Lesson Plan EDUCATION Overview: During the 2024 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity tointerview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest.In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, andthe Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on two important policies surroundingHigher Education: declining enrollment and barriers to access. Essential Questions: 20 minute Higher Education Lesson Plan LAW ENFORCEMENT Overview: This lesson plan for middle and high school civics focuses on the current issues of staffing shortages and police pursuits in law enforcement. During the 2024 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity tointerview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest.In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, andthe Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on two important policies surrounding LawEnforcement: staffing shortages and police pursuits. Essential Questions: 20 minute Law Enforcement Lesson Plan TRANSPORTATION Overview: During the 2024 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity tointerview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest.In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, andthe Minority Party, currently the Republicans stand on two important Transportation Policies:safety and sustainability on public transportation and treaty obligations to remove culvertsprohibiting fish passages. Essential…
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Civics 101 in 120 Seconds(ish) Introducing Your Soon-To-Be Favorite Parliamentarian: Mike Hoover Get the scoop on what makes the Legislature tick!
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Watch full episodes of TVW CONNECTS. This student-driven Q&A series connects students across Washington with state leaders to ask questions about current issues. This is an excellent tool for teachers to integrate into their civics curriculum and help their students become better-informed citizens as they learn from “the source” how our political system works, and the issues it faces.
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