Designed to enhance participation in the Close-Up Program's week of study in Washington, D.C. for secondary students, the materials on political processes and issues provided in this student handbook can be useful in secondary level social studies, political science, and current events courses. The booklet is arranged into three sections. Section 1 contains activities focusing on the issues of defense, social welfare, civil rights, environment, the Soviet Union, and the national budget, each of which corresponds with a reading in the Close Up companion publication, "Current Issues." Students can complete these activities on their own or with the teacher. Section 2 contains information and materials useful during the Close Up students' week in Washington, including maps, charts of governmental processes, and guides for the Close Up sponsored seminars on the judiciary, the presidency, defense, international relations, lobbying, and the media. Section 3 provides Close Up participants with an opportunity to reflect on their week's activities in the nation's capital and includes suggestions for continued political involvement. The handbook concludes with an answer key to the exercises in section one. (LP)