Semester Overview

The Legislative Semester is designed as a daily simulation of democratic decision making.  Class is conducted like a public public meeting, where students build the skills to research, write and debate legislation, culminating in a Legislative Committee Hearing (and ultimately a Full Session).  There are four stages of the simulation, summarized below. 

Stage 1:  Issues Exploration

Issues Exploration:  Explore current issues through discussion of classroom resolutions (Optional Current Issues homework assignment, Reaction Statements)

Evaluation of Beliefs:  Students reflect on their political beliefs and how they correspond to liberal and conservative ideologies.  (Optional Personal Biography and Political Profile)

Media Literacy: Students are critical consumers of information, and routinely evaluate source, bias, perspective, and evidence. (Optional Media Bias Headlines assignment)

Civil Discourse:  Students gain experience using Parliamentary Procedure as a tool for classroom discussion to promote civil discourse.

At the end of Phase 1 students will 

1.     have a clear understanding of important issues in the state of Wisconsin

2.     value civil discourse and the importance of listening to multiple perspectives

3.     articulate their political beliefs orally and in writing

Stage 2:  Issue Identification and Bill Writing

Issue Identification:  Students look at the world around them and identify problems which could be addressed through legislation.

Research: Students form bill writing "Issue Groups" based on common interests and ideas, and conduct research on their chosen issue. (REQUIRED Individual Research and Position Paper)

Bill Writing:  Issue Groups share research and come to a consensus about a policy solution to the problems they have identified.  (REQUIRED Bill, Group Position Paper, and Sponsor Speech)

At the end of Phase 2 students will 

1.     articulate their position on a complex public policy issue orally and in writing

2.     work collaboratively with a team to come to consensus about a public policy solution to a problem of interest

Stage 3: Committee Hearings

Student Leadership:  Students are both elected and appointed to formal leadership positions which are responsible for meaningful decision making roles throughout the Committee Hearing process.  Leadership roles include the Rules Committee, Committee Chairman, Committee Clerks and Parliamentarians. 

Committee Hearing Preparation:  Train all representatives and committee chairs on the structure and procedures of the Committee Hearing, including amendment procedures.

Bill Review:  Review bills assigned to their committee, conducting independent research on each topic in order to develop an initial opinion and gather relevant evidence for discussion. (REQUIRED Committee Hearing Bill Review)

Committee Hearing:  Led by student Committee Chairs, deliberate, amend, and vote on bills covering a range of issues, using civil discourse, parliamentary procedure, and persuasive speaking techniques. 

At the end of Phase 3 students will

1.     reflect on the legislative process and the ability to solve important social problems through legislation

2.     discuss the role and importance of civil discourse in public policy

3.     revise or restate their opinions on a variety of issues based on the experiences in class and Committee Hearings. 

Stage 4: Full Session

Student Leadership:  Students in elected and appointed leadership positions are responsible for meaningful decision making roles throughout the Full Session.  Leadership roles include the Speaker of the House,  Appointed Leadership (Assistant Speaker, Head Clerk,  Parliamentarian), Floor Leaders (Majority and Minority), Head and Assistant Whips, and the Sargents at Arms. 

Full Session Preparation:  The Speaker, Appointed Leadership, and Floor Leaders will need training and practice to lean the specific procedures for bill debate and voting in the full session.  

Bill Review:  The Rules Committee, led by the Speaker, determines which bills will be debated during the full sessions.  Once the "House Calendar" is published, students complete a REQUIRED bill review packet.

Floor Speeches:  Students all submit written floor speeches on a vareity of topics and these are chosen by the party leadership for delivery during the full session. 

Full Session:  Two half days of debate and voting on bills covering a range of issues.  The Speaker is responsible for ensuring that representatives use civil discourse, parliamentary procedure, and that voting is conducted fairly and accurately.  

At the end of Phase 4 students will

1.  reflect on the legislative process and the ability to solve important social problems through legislation.

2. evaluate the role that parties play in the legislative process

3.  discuss the role and importance of civil discourse in public policy

4. revise or restate their opinions on a variety of issues based on the experiences in class and at the Full Session.