By Kathryn Hobbie, Communications Team Member, LWV of Clark County

Washington students have benefited for decades from a striking, colorful textbook that tells them where they came from and how their government works. “The State We’re In” is published by the League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund.  

Now, a grant from the fund is bringing the book to individuals in state prisons as well. “The State We’re In” played a role in curriculum planning for Civics Academy, a new prison-based program, said David Lund, criminal justice specialist with the Secretary of State’s office.  

“When I first got hold of the book, I thought ‘super cool’ — this is such a broad view of state government, including not just white government but native ones as well,” he said. 

The idea for Civics Academy stemmed from the 2022 change in Washington law allowing prisoners to vote as soon as they are released, Lund said: “So it was important to let them know about voting and what it means.”  

Lund taught the pilot civic education program last summer at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton. The eight-week course covers “everything from why we have a government to how a bill becomes a law,” he said.  

Most of the 20 participants were learning about civics for the first time and were hungry for knowledge. Lund said he could relate, having served time himself — a fact that helped build trust in the classroom.  

“Some of my students were close to release, and the course showed them how being engaged civically can help them succeed,” he said.  

“Others were facing 30 years but were still interested.” 

As Lund planned the program, “I thought how great it would be to have a personal copy of the book for every student,” he said. He mentioned the idea to Deb Carstens, a Seattle King County League member who works on criminal justice.  

She and fellow League members Karen Verrill, Karen Peacey and Eleanor Walters secured the $2,000 grant to purchase 120 books. That is enough for upcoming Civics Academy classes at Harbor Heights youth correctional facility in Aberdeen, Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor,and some future locations.  

Verrill, a League member for 39 years, has a long history with “The State We’re In.” She served as the project manager for 25 years and recalls that the national League encouraged every state to produce such a book back in the 1980s.  

At first, the book’s focus was simply on state government, but author Jill Severn and designer Leslie Hoge urged a broader approach. 

“The State We’re In” now includes information about tribes and other marginalized groups, plus extensive graphics and photos. There is also an edition for elementary grades.  

Most other states produce much simpler versions of the book, if they produce one at all, Verrill said: “Ours is pretty special.” 

Teachers, librarians, the Washington State Council for the Social Studies, the Washington State Indian Education Association, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction all endorse it,and individual English- and Spanish-language print versions of both editions are also available for purchase.  

Free PDF versions, including a Chinese translation, are also available online through a partnership with Washington Open Educational Resources.  

The TSWI project team recently completed a survey of teachers statewide to gather input on how the books are being used in the classroom. They are exploring updates to the 8th edition, printed in 2018, as well as enhanced teaching tools. One of the goals is to expand coverage of the Black and Hispanic experience in Washington state.  

David Lund is impressed, not only by ”The State We’re In,“ but by the League of Women Voters itself.  

“When I started my job, I was unfamiliar with the League,” he said. “Now, I encounter them everywhere I go, and they are so eager to help. I hugely appreciate the book donation and look forward to more collaboration.” 

“The State We’re In” is a useful tool, he says, to help his graduates bridge the gap between prison and the world outside.  

“My goal is for them to see themselves as part of the civic fabric again,” he said. “I want them to understand that their voices matter, and that they can use what they’ve learned to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities.”