Civics Resources

4:37

Legislative Committees

How do legislative committees shape lawmaking in Washington State? Learn how bills move, change, or die in committee.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

07:45

Time Management – Tech For Teens

Learn how time management, floor strategy, and party priorities shape which Washington State bills get a final vote.

Discussion Questions

4:09

State Auditor

Explore the role of Washington’s State Auditor and learn how audits provide oversight and accountability in state government.

Lesson Plan

02:20

5. The Legislative Process

Learn the steps of the legislative process in Washington State and how bills become law.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Transportation (2025)

Explore transportation policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

03:51

15. The Floor: Big Changes Happen

Learn how major changes can happen to bills on the floor and how amendments can shape outcomes in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

08:05

Floor Debate

Learn how floor debates work in Washington State and the rules that guide discussion, amendments, and voting on legislation.

Discussion Questions

SERIES

Judicial Branch Explained

Explore Washington State’s courts, from trial courts to the Supreme Court, and learn how judges, juries, and justice work together.

Multiple Videos

02:09

10. Public Comment

Learn how public input influences legislation in Washington State through testimony, letters, and civic engagement.

Discussion Questions

05:06

Juvenile Courts – WA Courts

Explore juvenile courts in Washington State and how they focus on rehabilitation for youth offenders.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

04:00

The Committee Chair

Learn how committee chairs in Washington State decide which bills move forward and shape the legislative process.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

SERIES

Leg.wa.gov Navigator

These handy explainer videos will help you navigate Washington state's legislative website - leg.wa.gov

Multiple Videos

Unit

Precinct Committee Officers

Explore the role and responsibilities partisan PCOs, and investigate political viewpoints and how one can get involved in local politics.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

Multiple Videos

58:30
Documentary

Starcia

Explore Starcia’s journey from addiction and crime to redemption in this Emmy Award-winning documentary.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Education (2025)

This 20 min lesson explores where the Majority and Minority Parties stand on two policies regarding Early Learning and K12 Education.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

07:20

Public Testimony

Learn how public testimony works in Washington State and how citizens can share their voices during legislative hearings.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

04:26

Looking up a Bill

Learn how to find Washington State bills by number, topic, sponsor, or pre-filed status using the legislative website.
Unit

Pre-Legislative Session Class Primer

Prepare your students to follow and engage in the legislative process with this two day pre-legislative session primer.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

11:01

The Budgetary Process

Learn how Washington State creates its budget and how lawmakers and the governor work together to fund public services.

Discussion Questions

Unit

K12 Education (2025)

Explore K-12 education policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

01:35

11. What is an Amendment?

Learn what amendments are and how changes like strikers and substitutes shape bills in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Community Safety (2025)

Learn where Community Safety Committee leadership stands on issues of police accountability and addressing misinformation on social media.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

Unit

Health Care (2026)

Explore healthcare policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

05:11

The Second Half

Learn how bills move through the second chamber in Washington State and why amendments and timing shape their chances of passing.

Discussion Questions

13:25

WA Top Two Primary

Learn how Washington State's Top Two Primary works, the different scenarios that can play out, and how political parties strategize to win.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

03:07

8. Fiscal Committees

Learn how fiscal committees review costs, funding, and budgets for bills in Washington State’s legislative process.

Discussion Questions

Unit

K12 Education (2026)

Explore K-12 education policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

7:45

The Initiative Process

Learn from UW Law scholar, Hugh Spitzer, how WAs initiative process works, and the benefits and potential pitfalls of the initiative process

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

5:50

Ballot Hand Recounts

See how WA State's ballot recall is resolved through the 2024 Lands Commissioner race mandatory recount, and the oversight involved.

Discussion Questions

07:30

Court of Appeals – WA Courts

Learn how the Washington State Court of Appeals works and its role in reviewing trial court decisions.

Discussion Questions

9:06

The Washington State Constitution

Learn how Washington’s Constitution shapes state government and what makes it unique among U.S. state constitutions.

Discussion Questions

07:38

The Supreme Court – WA Courts

Learn how the Washington State Supreme Court works and its role in interpreting laws and setting precedent.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

5:00

Candidate Filing Week

Learn how candidates get on the ballot and how WA's SOS office ensures the process is equitable and fair for both candidate and voter.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

Unit

Environment & Energy (2026)

Explore environment and energy policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

01:55

3. What is the Legislature?

Learn what the Washington State Legislature is, how it works, and how sessions and bienniums are structured.

Discussion Questions

5:25

Mainstream Republicans Conference

See how WAs Mainstream Republican Conference acts as a think tank and forum for focusing on political party interests and endorsements.

Lesson Plan

06:01

16. The State Budget(s)

Learn about Washington State’s three budgets and how lawmakers plan and fund government priorities.

Discussion Questions

6:30

The Code Reviser

Explore the Code Reviser’s role in Washington State and how bills are drafted, reviewed, and prepared for the legislative process.

Discussion Questions

7:55

The Governor

Learn the role of Washington State’s Governor and how the office leads, implements laws, and works across government.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

4:29

Secretary of State

Learn the role of Washington State’s Secretary of State and how the office oversees elections and public records.

Lesson Plan

SERIES

Elections Explained

Learn how elections work in Washington State - Each video can stand alone, and is accompanied with a lesson plan, or view as a series.

Multiple Videos

8:00

WA Republican State Convention

Explore and influence of party conventions, how they are structured, and the role of delegates in shaping the electoral process.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

06:30

Prime Sponsorship

Learn how prime sponsors support bills in Washington State and why strong backing is key to passing legislation.

Discussion Questions

04:15

Floor Debate – Tech For Teens

See how tech bills for teens fared in Washington State floor debates and why some passed while others failed.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

SERIES

Legislative Branch Explained

Explore how laws are made in Washington State—from bill introduction to final vote—while learning how citizens can engage.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

04:10

Anatomy of a Committee

Learn how legislative committees work in Washington State and why they are key to researching, debating, and shaping laws.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

03:33

7. Policy Committees

Learn how policy committees work in Washington State and how bills move through hearings and executive sessions.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Legislative Committees

Understand the role of legislative committees, how they are structured, and how power and perspective can shape policy.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

04:40

Fiscal Committees

Learn how fiscal committees in Washington State review bills with financial impact and why they are critical in the lawmaking process.

Discussion Questions

4:30

Washington’s Legislative Branch

This legacy video explains: How does Washington State’s legislative branch function? And how does it differ from the U.S. Congress.

Discussion Questions

6:15

Using the Bill Info Page

Learn how to use the Washington State bill info page to track sponsors, votes, amendments, and key legislative details.
5:10

State Treasurer

Learn the role of Washington State’s Treasurer and how the office manages finances and ensures fiscal responsibility.

Lesson Plan

04:56

Five O’Clock Bill

Learn what a “5 o’clock bill” is and how deadlines, debate, and strategy shape Washington State’s legislative process.

Discussion Questions

23:44
Documentary

Mariachi Huenachi

Follow immigrant students overcoming challenges through music in Wenatchee’s Mariachi Huenachi program.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Legislative Actions of Washington State

In this curriculum, students learn not only how legislation is passed in Washington State but also how they can be involved and engage in it

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

8:00

2024 Elections: What’s at Stake

Review the 2024 state of Washington races post the August Primary Election, and pre the November Election, to understand election dynamics.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

03:39

The Final Step – Tech For Teens

Learn the final step in Washington State lawmaking as bills reach the governor’s desk for approval, veto, or enactment.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Law & Justice (2026)

Explore law and justice policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

Unit

Health Care & Wellness (2025)

Explore healthcare policy debates in Washington State and how lawmakers address access and affordability.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

5:05

Voter’s Pamphlet and Video Guide

Learn about informational resources provided to voters prior to elections, and how that information is gathered and validated.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

03:27

Short Session Look Ahead

Get ready for Washington State’s 2026 short session and learn how the biennium shapes legislative priorities and timelines.

Lesson Plan

02:19

2. What is the Law?

Learn what laws are, how they work, and how bills become part of the Revised Code of Washington.

Discussion Questions

05:47

Signing up to Testify

Learn how to sign up to testify on a bill and share your voice in Washington State’s legislative process.
03:20

12. The Floor: What is Decorum??

Learn what decorum means on the legislative floor and how rules guide respectful debate in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

SERIES

Legacy Videos

Some legacy educational modules explaining the different aspects of the Legislative Branch and Washington State Government.

Multiple Videos

07:06

The Rules Committee

Learn how the Rules Committee decides which bills reach the floor in Washington State’s legislative process.

Discussion Questions

13:00

Washington Capitol Press Corps

Discover how Washington’s Capital Press Corps informs the public, covers state government, and strengthens democracy.

Discussion Questions

5:00

Labor Council COPE Convention

Candidate Endorsements: how do they really work? Understand the role that the unions can play in an election. 

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

05:00

Policy Cutoff

Learn how policy cutoff deadlines shape which bills move forward in Washington State’s legislative process.

Discussion Questions

55:00
Documentary

Finding Common Ground

Examine different ways that tribal nations, the Washington State government, and other stakeholders have come together to navigate conflict.

Lesson Plan

SERIES

Capitol Classroom Highlights

Explore highlights from Capitol Classroom and learn about Washington State’s legislative process from volunteer lobbyists.

Multiple Videos

05:41

Conference Committees

Learn how conference committees help resolve differences between House and Senate bills in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

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