Voting is a critical function of our democracy. In 2018, the Washington State Legislature created the Future Voter program in an effort to increase access to voter registration and recognize the importance of lifelong civic participation. Because of this work, 16- and-17-year-olds will automatically be registered to vote when they turn 18.

The law requires schools to provide high school seniors the opportunity to register to vote, during social studies instructional time, on Temperance and Good Citizenship Day, January 26. In addition to #FutureVoter, new legislation: RCW 29A.08.170 (effective January 1, 2022), provides 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the November General Election the opportunity to vote in the August Primary. The presidential election year provides a unique opportunity to create excitement for voting and voter registration.

Click here to access resources to support this observance, including the #FutureVoters Toolkit provided by the Office of the Secretary of State

MLK Junior Day falls on January 16, 2024. This day serves as a poignant reminder of Dr. King's indelible contributions to the civil rights movement and his tireless efforts towards equality and justice for all. In honor of his legacy, schools and educators will engage in events and activities that reflect the principles he championed, including community service, educational discussions, and moments of reflection. Below are some links to some teaching resources:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Classroom Resources from PBS Newshour Classroom

King: A Legacy Remembered from the National Civil Rights Museum

Teaching King Beyond “I Have a Dream” from Civil Rights Teaching

The Best of Our Dr. Marting Luther King Jr. Resources from Learning for Justice

Per RCW 43.117.130, January of each year will be designated as a time for people of this state to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent to the history and heritage of Washington state and shall be designated as Chinese American/Americans of Chinese descent history month. Public schools are encouraged to use time in January for appropriate activities in commemoration of the lives, history, achievements, and contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent.

OSPI has recently published Washington-Americans of Chinese Descent Posters. Educators can use these posters to celebrate influential Americans of Chinese Descent in the state of Washington.  

Educators! Available in January, request your updated edition. You may be familiar with Teaching Elections in Washington State, a collaboration from the Office of the Secretary of State and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to fulfill the statutory civics requirement.

Be on the lookout in January—we’re sending schools sample copies leading into Temperance and Good Citizenship Day on January 16.

 If you would like your own free copy of the curriculum guide, fill out the online request form. For a digital copy, please visit the OSOS Elections website.

We see the amazing work you do, and we appreciate your partnership, teachers. Thank you for teaching the importance of elections to future generations!

Do you know a middle school student passionate about improving their community? They can showcase their civics knowledge, win cash prizes, and represent Washington state on a national stage in the National Civics Bee. To enter, students should submit a 500-word essay on the following prompt: Identify a problem facing your community. How might a citizen solve the problem?

The top performers from the essay competition are then invited to compete in a regional competition which consists of a live civics quiz event which will take place in Spring 2024. Washington has 6 participating chambers that will be hosting regional competitions in Vancouver, Tacoma, Ellensburg, Walla Walla, Port Orchard, and Spokane.

The highest-scoring students will move on to the National Civics Bee Washington State Finals in June 2024, with the first-place winner receiving $1,000. Check out the video from last year's event.

The winner of the state final will earn a trip to Washington D.C. to compete in the inaugural National Civics Bee Championship next fall.

How to enter: Students can submit their essays through the website of one of the six participating chambers which can be found at https://www.awbinstitute.org/project/national-civics-bee/. Essay submissions close January 8, 2024.

First given in 1998, the Governor’s Award is presented to an outstanding certified teacher of Pacific Northwest history in an accredited K-12 school in Washington or to a nonprofit organization. The awards committee welcomes nominations of persons who demonstrate effective teaching by any measure of excellence. This may include but is not limited to the use and development and an innovative curriculum, consistent effectiveness in utilizing Pacific Northwest history in either the classroom or the community over an extended period of time, the advancement of Pacific Northwest history as a field of academic inquiry, a lasting impact on students, the use or development of innovative technology, and the encouragement of Pacific Northwest themes in History Day presentations. The award includes $750 and a certificate of recognition.

Nominations due February 2, 2024. Learn more and nominate someone HERE.

The National Geographic Society is officially back for Year 2 of the Slingshot Challenge, where youth from around the world can share their ideas for "slingshotting" our planet forward! They are challenging 13 to 18-year-olds to create a one-minute video sharing their solutions to our current environmental problems. A selection of entries will be eligible to receive funding for up to $10,000. Participation is free of charge.

They are accepting submissions until February 1, 2024. They are also offering a series of virtual support sessions for students to meet with National Geographic Explorers to ask questions and workshop their ideas and challenge solutions.

The Washington State Civic Learning Council has created a scholarship program to provide financial grants and support to educators and students participating in high-quality civic education programs at the national, state, tribal and local government level. 

Grants will generally be awarded between the range of $250 to $1000. Grants will be considered in excess of these amounts, contingent on availability of funds and strength of application. Eligibility is open for a wide array of personnel involved in education, including educators, leaders of after-school programs, parent-teacher associations, home school organizations, individual students, nonprofits, and community organizations.

For more information and a link to the application, click here.

Temperance and Good Citizenship Day is on January 26, 2024. The law requires schools to provide high school seniors the opportunity to register to vote, during social studies instructional time. Save the date for this webinar where staff from OSPI and the Washington Secretary of State Office share requirements, best practices, and answer your questions. Educators can receive one free clock hour. We will be sending out registration information the first week in January. In the meantime, you can review resources by clicking here.

When: Monday, January 8^th from 4-5pm

This session takes a historical approach to learning about the Arab-Israeli conflict and peace process, treating the conflict as part of modern history that emerged over a century ago. Through primary sources and supplementary materials, participants will trace the development of the conflict from the late 19th century to the early 2000s, providing global, Middle Eastern, and European contexts for deep and nuanced understanding of this complicated topic. Support for Classroom Discussion on the Hamas-Israel War, as well as a collection of standards-aligned and content-focused resources to support instruction will be shared. This one-hour webinar occurs on Thursday, February 8 from 4:30-6pm. Educators can earn 1.5 free clock hours in SEL or Equity.

Sign up on pdEnroller

The Court, in collaboration with Seattle University School of Law, has developed a Judicial Institute for teachers of grades 5-12. This highly interactive program offers teachers a unique opportunity to hear from federal judges, attorneys, and law enforcement and to learn about topics including the U.S. Constitution, federal judiciary, civil rights, federal-state courts, and federal criminal law. Teachers will attend actual proceedings, as well as be questioned in a simulated jury selection process.

This program is offered to teachers in Western Washington within the court’s geographic boundaries. There is no cost to attend the program, and clock hours are offered. This is a 3-day in person program which includes overnight accommodations.

Space is limited to 40 teachers, so submit your application early. View flyer!