Getting Started

If you are interested in using the Legislative Semester in your classroom or school, you can choose a phased approach to adopting the program, or adopt the entire semester-long curriculum at once.

Phase 1: Classroom Deliberation

Simulating a public meeting

The foundation of the Legislative Semester is the daily use of parliamentary procedure in the classroom. Try it out today! This is a great option for individual teachers or teams to start exploring the program without committing to a full semester curriculum. If you are looking for a way to incorporate more deliberation of current, contested issues into your classroom these resources will support your students in exploring their opinions and applying their experiences while developing the skills of civil discourse.

Phase 2: Committee Hearings

Simulating The Legislative Process and Crafting Legislation

Through the deliberation about contested issues (Phase 1), students explore and begin to articulate their position on the political spectrum. During Phase 2 they declare party affiliation, and move on to selecting an issue of importance and working with a group of their peers to research and write a bill that addresses their issue. A Committee Hearing, led by student committee chairs, is the culmination of Phase 2. During the Hearing students deliberate about, amend, and ultimately vote on the student authored bills. A full quarter is needed to provide students with enough time and support to gain the skills and dispositions needed to explore their political identity, research and write bills, and conduct a Committee Hearing. Committee Hearings are most authentic and engaging when they mix students from multiple class sections, but one class can successfully write bills and hold a Committee Hearing. During this phase, students take on authentic leadership roles during the bill writing process, learn and practice information literacy and research skills, hone their public speaking and persuasive abilities, and take ownership of their experience through the student-led committees.

Phase 3: Full Session

SIMULATING ELECTIONS, AND THE STATE OR FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

After completing Phase 1 and Phase 2, the final culminating event is a Full Legislative Session. Students take the bills that have advanced out of committee and bring them to the full legislative assembly for a final debate and vote. This is most effective when multiple sections, and even multiple teachers, combine into a larger legislative assembly, but even one class with two committees could hold a Full Session. The Full Session is chaired by an elected Speaker of the House, who is supported by a Clerk, Parliamentarian, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, and additional student leadership roles. Schools who are planning to complete the Full Session (Phase 3) will hold these leadership elections earlier in the semester, prior to the Committee Hearing. By completing Phase 3, students have the benefit of enacting the legislative process from start to finish and gain a deep understanding of the process for how laws are made at the state and federal level. They feel deep ownership and commitment to getting their bills passed, and continue to explore and develop informed opinions on a huge variety of current, contested issues.