In 1985, Representative Howard B. Chapin sponsored a bill (H1200) to the North Carolina General Assembly that provided the means to establish the Legislators' School for Youth Leadership Development. The program was to serve students who are not designated as academically gifted, but to serve students who should be able, with extra motivation and opportunity, to become student leaders. These students should be given the opportunity to develop their communication, problem solving, and thinking skills.

The program was to place emphasis on students who attend schools serving rural and isolated areas because these students do not always have the same opportunities that are provided to students attending schools in urban areas. The ratio of rural to urban students participating in the program was to be three to one.

Each year many young North Carolinians develop their skills in thinking, communicating, and leading others by participating in the Legislators' School for Youth Leadership Development.

Funded by the North Carolina General Assembly and operated by the Office for Rural Education (ORE) at Western Carolina University, the Legislators' School sets out to identify and foster potential leaders from many of the state's rising eighth-through-eleventh graders.

The summer residential program, held on the Western Carolina University campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina, is now in its 23rd year.