The Youth Leadership Initiative and the League of Women Voters have teamed up to provide opportunities for teachers and students to meet their elected officials. As hundreds of schools across the country participate in e-Congress 2005, YLI and the League of Women Voters will collaborate to bring real legislators into the classroom!

This new initiative will match YLI classroom teachers with local League members, who will draw on their experience in interacting with local representatives to assist teachers with setting up classroom visits. To help teachers prepare their students, YLI has developed the lesson plan “Learning from Elected Officials.” The lesson includes activities, questions, and other ways to encourage student interaction during the visit. This lesson will be available to registered YLI teachers on March 7.

Schools participating in e-Congress are encouraged to invite officials to speak in March, prior to the committee phase. As students finish writing their bills and begin evaluating bills from around the country, speaking with elected officials will enhance their understanding of the legislative process.

For more information about the YLI partnership with the League of Women Voters, please contact Faith Alejandro at falejandro@virginia.edu, or call YLI toll-free at 866.514.8389.