The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has designated the week of September 17-21, 2001, as "Back to School Week." During this week, state legislators from throughout the country are encouraged by NCSL to contact principals and teachers in their respective districts and arrange for classroom visits to help students understand the pressures, conflicts, and difficulties that legislators deal with in trying to solve public problems. In general, these lesson plans outline for students the importance of representative democracy, the message that their voices count, and the valid role of special interest groups in the process. This booklet contains four lesson plans: "How Do Teenagers Get a 'Voice?'"; "Don't We All Agree?: Recognizing the Importance of Diversity in Public Policy Making"; "Whose Special Interests? The Role of 'Special Interest Groups' in Legislation"; and "Why Compromise? The Importance of Compromise in a Representative Democracy." Each lesson plan provides a rationale; lists educational objectives; suggests ideas for background preparation and materials; notes time requirements for the lesson; and provides assignments and detailed instructions to define the particular issue. A follow-up lesson (some with numerous issue questions for discussion and others with activities) is included with each lesson plan. (BT)