This Wisconsin state test booklet contains 110 multiple choice questions that measure civic literacy. The questions require knowledge of: (1) the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence; (2) the three branches of the U.S. government; (3) the structure of Wisconsin's government; (4) U.S. political parties and…

Major changes in secondary civic education have been proposed in part as a response to the recent enfranchisement of 18-20 year olds, but the greatest impetus has been the recognition of inadequacies in existing programs. (Author)

Reports on a voting project in an interdisciplinary humanities class to help students think carefully about the qualities and qualifications of political leaders. Describes how the students integrated research, reading, and writing skills to engage in campaigning and other election-related activities for political candidates whose characters they…

Despite a growing consensus that civic education is an important aspect of political socialization, little research has prospectively examined how gains made during civics courses are maintained after high school. This study used a quasi-experimental design to examine longer-term effects of the Student Voices program, which was originally…

This user guide is part of a multimedia unit using an interdisciplinary approach with hands-on learning to motivate children to participate actively in their schools and local communities, and to experience the democratic process. This unit focuses on the concept of laws helping people to live together and how people help make the laws. Unit parts…

This user guide is part of a multimedia unit using an interdisciplinary approach with hands-on learning to motivate children to participate actively in their schools and local communities, and to experience the democratic process. This unit focuses on the meaning of the words in the Pledge of Allegiance. Unit parts include: (1) video preview; (2)…

Urges social studies educators to play an active role in getting out the 18-year-old vote. Offers suggestions for increasing high school senior voter registration and interest in voting. (JDH)

This study incorporates the perspective of deliberative democracy in proposing a framework for evaluating relationships between civic education and political development. Findings support a conception of deliberative learning as a process in which interactive curricula result in the diffusion of discursive inclinations to families and peer groups.…

Researchers have been studying children's knowledge, thinking, and attitudes about government for several decades. However, the studies focusing on elementary students, and especially primary students, have little or nothing to say about children's ideas about democracy or democratic government. That is because children at these ages have not yet…

Arranged in five chapters, this handbook provides teachers with a variety of short-term modular, and semester-long voter education programs suitable for use at either the elementary or secondary level. The first chapter, an introduction, provides an overview of the status of student voter education programs and recommends possible roles for…

For many young people, adult education offers a "second chance" to obtain a high school credential, to develop literacy skills, or to succeed in a new country and a new language. With more support, it can also represent a second chance for youth to develop civic knowledge and skills and lifelong patterns of civic engagement. The aim of…

This user guide is part of a multimedia unit using an interdisciplinary approach with hands-on learning to motivate children to participate actively in their schools and local communities, and to experience the democratic process. This unit focuses on the concept that democracy works best when everyone participates. Unit parts include: (1) video…

This election-education program is designed to help develop an informed electorate and to instill in future voters an appreciation of the importance of the right to vote. It provides a framework for discussions of the electoral process and gives students an opportunity to face the responsibilities and challenges associated with citizenship and…

The purpose of this election-education program is to help develop an informed electorate and to instill in future voters an appreciation of the importance of the right to vote. It provides a framework for discussions of the electoral process and gives students in grades three through six an opportunity to face the responsibilities and challenges…

A discussion guide, one in a series on constitutional reform issues developed by The Jefferson Foundation as part of The Jefferson Meeting on the Constitution project, examines electoral college reform. The first section discusses how the electoral college functions and presents a brief history since 1787. The second section outlines four…