According to a recent study, students who have studied civics or government are more likely to believe they are personally responsible for improving society. The Legislators Back to School Program is a national program designed to promote this sense of responsibility by engaging students in a positive, productive interaction with their state legislators.

The program sends legislators into classrooms throughout Washington, where they connect with students and bring the study of government, laws and state history to life. Students gain insight into what it’s like to be a state legislator — plus they learn that their ideas count.

The Senate kicked off its Back to School program in September, and the House of Representatives will begin its classroom visits Nov. 8. To arrange the classroom meetings, teachers and legislators work together to agree on appropriate dates and times.

The Back to School Program is part of a civic education initiative by the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization providing services to state lawmakers.

To learn how your district can participate in the Back to School program, visit the Legislature's Web site.