Political Campaigns
Learn what it takes to run for office in Washington, from campaigning and fundraising to serving the public.
Discussion Questions
How a Bill Becomes a Law
This Legacy Video explains: How does a bill become a law in Washington? And how does it differ from the U.S. Congress?
Discussion Questions
SERIES
Capitol Classroom Highlights
Explore highlights from Capitol Classroom and learn about Washington State’s legislative process from volunteer lobbyists.
Multiple Videos
Insurance Commissioner
Learn the role of Washington State’s Insurance Commissioner and how the office protects consumers.
Lesson Plan
Unit
Environment, Energy & Technology (Senate 2025)
Explore environment and energy policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
K12 Education (2025)
Explore K-12 education policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
How To Get Legal Advice?
Learn how to get legal advice in Washington State and understand your right to an attorney in civil and criminal cases.
Discussion Questions
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.
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Discussion Questions
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
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Discussion Questions
What Does The Judicial Branch Do?
Explore what the judicial branch does and how judges interpret laws in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Curating Public History – Civic Skills
Curator Todd Clark centers Native voices in public history while prioritizing truth-telling and diversity in the exhibits he curates.
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Discussion Questions
Re-Wire 2026 Legislative Session Preview
Preview the 2026 legislative session with insights from the ReWire conference on budget, policy, and key issues.
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
How to Find Videos on TVW.org
Learn how to search for Washington State legislative videos on TVW.org and find bill hearings step by step.
The Budgetary Process
Learn how Washington State creates its budget and how lawmakers and the governor work together to fund public services.
Discussion Questions
Organizing – Civic Skills
Riley Irish organizes for health equity. They build community leadership and partner for meaningful change.
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Discussion Questions
5. The Legislative Process
Learn the steps of the legislative process in Washington State and how bills become law.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Higher Education & Workforce Development (2025)
Explore higher education and workforce policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Landscape Organizing – Civic Skills
Landscape Architect, Dakota Keene designs public/private spaces for community connection, creating shared civic spaces that welcome everyone
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Discussion Questions
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
How to Watch a Televised Debate
Improve your debate analysis skills by learning note-taking techniques that help track and evaluate arguments.
Discussion Questions
6. What is a Lobbyist?
Learn what a lobbyist is and how they influence the legislative process in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
What Happens If A Law Is Declared Unconstitutional?
Learn what happens when a law is declared unconstitutional and the roles of courts and lawmakers in Washington State.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Unit
How a Bill Becomes a Law in Washington State
In 9–10 class periods, students explore lawmaking in WA, issues they care about, legislative action, civic engagement, and bipartisanship.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
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
Importance of Debates
Learn about State debates, their purpose, what the electorate can learn from a debate, and how the media prepares to moderate a debate.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
SERIES
Documentaries
Documentaries to help students understand how their state government works by taking a deeper look into issues affecting the state.
Multiple Videos
Prime Sponsorship
Learn how prime sponsors support bills in Washington State and why strong backing is key to passing legislation.
Discussion Questions
Planting Trees – Civic Skills
Fulton Bryant Anderson plants urban trees to build community and grow environmental stewardship amongst neighborhoods.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Documentary
The Pink Tax: WA Students Push For Pricing Equity
Follow WA students advocating for pricing equity and tackling the pink tax through the legislative process.
Discussion Questions
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
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
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
13. The Floor: 1st 2nd & 3rd Readings Explained
Learn what 1st, 2nd, and 3rd readings mean and how bills are reviewed on the legislative floor.
Discussion Questions
Meeting leg.wa.gov
Take a tour of leg.wa.gov and learn how to find bills, calendars, and ways to engage with Washington State’s legislature.
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
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
The Role of the Whip
What does a legislative whip do? Learn how caucus whips count votes, manage members, and guide bills in Olympia.
Discussion Questions
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. Rules Committee
Learn how the Rules Committee controls which bills reach the floor in Washington State’s legislative process.
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
The Law – Civic Skills
Attorney Rich Lumley uses critical thinking and empathy in law as he researches, negotiates, and encourages understanding.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
WA Democratic State Convention
See how the Washington State Democratic Party convention gathers its base to caucus, collaborate and adopt the parties platform.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Reading the Bill and the Bill Report
Learn how to read bills and bill reports in Washington State, including revisions, summaries, and key legislative details.
Passing Legislation – Civic Skills
Former legislator Tana Senn explains passing legislation as a civic skill. Engaging stakeholders changes policy and impacts communities.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
The Governor’s Desk
Learn the governor’s role in Washington State lawmaking, including signing, vetoing, or allowing bills to become law.
Discussion Questions
14. The Floor: What is Caucus?
Learn what a caucus is and how lawmakers negotiate and prepare bills behind the scenes in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Editing a Book – Civic Skills
Benjamin Fong amplifies others’ histories and messages by editing for clarity. He highlights a project featuring a Civil Rights leader.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Legislative Committees
How do legislative committees shape lawmaking in Washington State? Learn how bills move, change, or die in committee.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
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
Professional Sports – Civic Skills
In his work for the Seattle Kraken, Kyle Boyd leverages hockey to build community, promote health, connection and civic life amongst youth.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
18. Final Step: The Governor’s Desk
Learn what happens at the governor’s desk and how bills are signed, vetoed, or become law in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Attorney General
Learn the role of Washington State’s Attorney General and how the office represents and protects the public.
Lesson Plan
Participating in the Legislative Process
Learn how Washington residents can influence lawmaking through testimony, advocacy, and connecting with legislators.
Discussion Questions
3. What is the Legislature?
Learn what the Washington State Legislature is, how it works, and how sessions and bienniums are structured.
Discussion Questions
Documentary
The Medicine Creek Treaty, 1854-Present
Explore the Medicine Creek Treaty and its lasting impact on Native communities in Washington State.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
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
Youth Sports – Civic Skills
Coach Purcell Parker uses youth sports for life lessons. He focuses on personal and civic development, and the long-term journey of youth.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
7. Policy Committees
Learn how policy committees work in Washington State and how bills move through hearings and executive sessions.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Housing (2026)
Explore housing policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
State Government & Tribal Relations (2025)
Explore tribal relations and state government policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
A.G. Request Legislation – Tech For Teens
Learn how Attorney General request legislation works and how laws are enforced to protect consumers in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Superior Court – WA Courts
Learn how Superior Courts handle major criminal and civil cases in Washington State’s judicial system.
Discussion Questions
Documentary
A Question of Faith: Washington’s Electoral College
Explore Washington’s Electoral College and how electors choose the president in this Emmy-winning documentary.
Discussion Questions
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
Prosecutor vs. Public Defender?
Learn the roles of prosecutors and public defenders and how they work together in Washington State’s justice system.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Agriculture & Natural Resources (2025)
Explore agriculture and natural resource policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Documentary
Isidore Starr: Leading a Revolution in Civics
Explore Isidore Starr’s impact on civics education and his legacy as a leader in law-related education.
Discussion Questions
How are Parenting Plans Decided?
Learn how parenting plans are decided in Washington State and what judges consider in family court cases.
Discussion Questions
Floor Debate
Learn how floor debates work in Washington State and the rules that guide discussion, amendments, and voting on legislation.
Discussion Questions
State Auditor
Explore the role of Washington’s State Auditor and learn how audits provide oversight and accountability in state government.
Lesson Plan
Juvenile Courts – WA Courts
Explore juvenile courts in Washington State and how they focus on rehabilitation for youth offenders.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Unit
The Rule of Law and State Courts
This 4 day lesson plan examines the role of state courts in preserving democracy and what types of cases each court level hears.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
The State Budget(s)
Learn about Washington State’s three budgets—Operating, Capital, and Transportation—and how they reflect government priorities.
Discussion Questions
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
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
Poetry – Civic Skills
Rena Priest uses poetry as a means to access others’ viewpoints. Empathy and broad vision are essential for community action.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Natural History – Civic Skills
Writer David B. Williams connects people to place through natural history. His writings reveal the local environment through a civic lens.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
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
District & Municipal Courts – WA Courts
Learn how district and municipal courts handle lower-level cases in Washington State’s court system.
Discussion Questions
The Washington State Constitution
Learn how Washington’s Constitution shapes state government and what makes it unique among U.S. state constitutions.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Civil Rights & Judiciary (2025)
Explore civil rights policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
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
Conference Committees
Learn how conference committees help resolve differences between House and Senate bills in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Visual Storytelling – Civic Skills
Filmmaker Derek Bradfield Nguyen uses visual storytelling to show how people live in community, building civic familiarity.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Creating Vibrant Parks – Civic Skills
Former Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams preserved vibrant parks through civic engagement, listening, and clarity of mission.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Unit
Transportation (2026)
Explore transportation policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
2026 Tech For Teens – Legislative Branch Explained
Follow real WA bills on AI and social media to see how ideas become law—from hearings to debate, votes, and the governor’s desk.
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
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
2026 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
Unit
Early Learning & Human Services (2025)
Explore youth care policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
Environment & Energy (2026)
Explore environment and energy policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
Higher Education & Workforce Development (2026)
Explore higher education policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Coffee and Connections – Civic Skills
Annette Heide-Jessen uses her coffee shop for civic connection, gathering neighbors and supporting entrepreneurs.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Public Programs Manager – Civic Skills
Ecological programs manager, Brianna Klein helps extend environmental awareness and ecological literacy across the community.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
The Rules Committee
Learn how the Rules Committee decides which bills reach the floor in Washington State’s legislative process.
Discussion Questions
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
More Than Their Crimes: Reforming Juvenile Justice in Washington State
Explore juvenile justice reform in Washington State and youth voices behind SB 6160 at Green Hill School.
Discussion Questions
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