how to | USE LEGISLATURE AS A CLASSROOM
Making the Most of
LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIPS Kentucky Rep. Derrick Graham, a high school government and history teacher, sees how his students who work as pages for the state legislature build on textbook knowledge. Here are his tips for legislators on helping students get the most from their internship.
CAPITOL IDEAS
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SEPT./OCT. 2010
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BUILD A RELATIONSHIP.
EXPLAIN THE PROCESS.
REMEMBER THEY’RE STUDENTS.
The relationships students build while working as a page or legislative intern are important, not only in carrying out their daily duties but also in understanding the political process. “A lot of things are in the textbook about government and how government runs,” Graham said. “The key to success in being an effective legislator is having good personal skills, human relation skills.” Pages learn that quickly, he said, because they must interact with every legislator at one time or another. Legislators can help by being open to the students.
Students learn the basics of how government works in the classroom, but the process is much different in real life, Graham said. He said legislators can help students understand policymaking processes better if they take time to explain what occurred on the floor. “For example if we’re in recess and they didn’t understand how something developed, they will ask, ‘what went on here? What did you just do and why did you do it?’” Graham said. He said most legislators take the time to answer their questions.
While legislative pages and interns are working a job, they’re also students. Graham said many times they still have responsibilities to keep up with classes and turn in classwork even on the longest of legislative days. He said it’s important for the legislative internship or page program to have a good relationship with the schools students attend. “In Franklin County, we have said for years we want to provide hands-on education,” Graham said. “This is a true way of providing hands-on education in history and government.”
ASK THEIR OPINION.
SET AN EXAMPLE.
Most students are adults or are nearing adulthood when they serve as a legislative page or intern. Graham said they can offer a fresh perspective to legislators. “We want kids to listen to us but a lot of times kids have a lot of things on their minds that can give us some ideas as to what they think would be the best way whether in terms of education or social issues,” he said. “Sometimes that youthful thought can make you think before you take action.”
Teachers set an example in the classroom, but also in life. So do legislators, Graham said. He has seen that over the past eight years he’s served in the legislature while teaching—and before that as a city councilman in Kentucky’s capital city. Three of his former students have a good shot at winning seats on the city council. “I think me serving may have heightened their awareness of serving in public office,” he said.
“We want to provide hands-on education. (Offering legislative internships) is a true way of providing hands-on education in history and government.” —Rep. Derrick Graham, a history and government teacher
