This paper contends that the issues of constitutional government debated during the founding of the United States should be in the core curriculum of any school that seeks to educate students to become responsible citizens of a constitutional democracy. For purposes of teaching students, the issues debated by founding-era political thinkers can be…

In this introduction to a series of articles blending perspectives of political science and citizenship education, the author stresses the need for a variety of citizenship skills in voter education programs and for an emphasis on learning by doing. (AV)

A description of the activities of an ongoing curriculum development project aimed at preparing an alternative program for political science education is provided. (Author/DE)

A 55-item test, "The Political Knowledge Test," was developed to measure student performance in terms of knowledge objectives of the American Political Behavior (APB) course. The test was administered in May 1970 to secondary school students in experimental (E) and control (C) groups in nine communities in various parts of the country. Students in…

Investigates high school student exposure to education about state government by examining student enrollment, course offerings, textbooks, and curriculum guides. Concludes that there is a need for more extensive treatment of state government politics and political behavior, and less coverage of details of institutional structures. (Author/DB)

Argues that the Northwest Ordinance should be emphasized more in U.S. government and U.S. history classes. Contends that the Northwest Ordinance is an innovative instrument of self government which students should study, and discusses the global aspects of using this document. Concludes the Northwest Ordinance and the U.S. Constitution are…

This lesson emphasizes the virtues underlying John Marshall's commitment to his duties as public official and member of a family. It is based on the National Register of Historic Places registration file "John Marshall House" and information from the John Marshall Foundation of Richmond, Virginia, and the Association for the Preservation…

Standards for teaching, learning, and assessing civics or democratic citizenship should emphasize two centrally important concepts: (1) constitutionalism; and (2) human rights. If students in schools and citizens in the polity fail to know, value, and act in terms of these concepts, then their prospects for building and maintaining liberal…

Describes the ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education (ERIC/ChESS) at Indiana University which is responsible for disseminating information about social studies education. Provides examples of documents and information products from the ERIC database that can be used by teachers of government, civics, and political science.…

The main purpose of this volume is to provide information and ideas which might contribute to the improvement of secondary school instruction about voter behavior and elections. The focus is on the real political world and why people behave as they do. Facts and ideas are drawn from the work of social scientists, and the questions raised are those…

A collection of resources for high school history and government teachers and their students, this volume treats core ideas on constitutional government in the United States. James Madison's ideas as found in "The Federalist Papers" are examined in conjunction with their counterpoints in essays of the Anti-Federalists. This volume…

This second of three units to the 12th-grade first-semester "Comparing Political Experiences" course provides 20 student activities that examine political resources such as wealth, skills, status, information, and ideas. The activities and readings are divided into six sections which stress the alternative patterns of political resources…