This review surveys recent literature that reflects a wide variety of research techniques and methods. These writings, previously announced in RIE, should provide administrators with some insights into variables that affect the outcome of school financial elections. Divided into four major parts, the review includes literature that (1) deals with…

There are several ways the telephone system may be used for opinion polling and public participation in discussions. The easiest method is individual call-ins to a series of different telephone numbers that each represent a different choice or vote. The only extra equipment needed here is a device that tabulates the total number of calls reaching…

This speech traces the background of the passage of a bond issue in the Kansas City School District, Kansas, to aid other districts seeking to pass bond issues. The author sets out in chronological order the procedures that were taken to eliminate or neutralize opposition to the bond proposal. The author also notes that the board of education…

Two waves of telephone interviews with a sample of 141 voters were used in a study of political communication effects during the 1974 congressional election in the Illinois 24th Congressional District. Seven variables specified by the combined-effects model were derived from the interviews and factor analyzed. Two factors were found and…

Surveys the gains of Black Americans in civil rights, including public education, voting and political power, occupational status, and housing and residential integration. Affirmative action, housing programs, and school desegregation still are hampered by lax compliance and inadequate federal standards of monitoring and enforcement. (Author/AV)

Argues that bicentennial celebrations of the U.S. Constitution should be focused on struggles throughout the life of the document rather than the "miracle" of its birth. Illustrates this point by reference to changes in the voting rights and citizenship of black citizens. (BSR)

Presents a lesson plan which allows students to grapple with significant questions about the U.S. Constitution while they develop important critical thinking skills. Entitled "The Constitution, the Public, and Voting," the plan encourages skills such as evaluating generalizations, evaluating reasoning by analogy, and recognizing unstated…

Outlines the strategic setting of the 1988 U.S. presidential election, highlights what is at stake for each party, and considers those political issues that may affect its outcome. Examines domestic and foreign policy issues, stressing those that affect two key groups: northern workers and "have not/have little" white Southerners. (GEA)

Recognizes the Kennedy-Nixon debate (in which alleged viewer disagreement was unsupported) as the seminal element in support of the position that television may distort the substance of political communications. Argues that although visual cues undoubtedly have potential to influence the perception of candidates, the nature of that influence…

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)

Examines the evoluation of proportional representation and its applicability to school districts, citing relevant court decisions. Recommends single-member districts and outlines a method for apportioning them. (MCG)

This article describes the unfavorable conditions and the innovative tactics used in a well-planned, successful referendum campaign for one school district's capital improvement bond issue. (MJL)

This paper explores the effect of extra schooling, induced through compulsory schooling laws, on the likelihood of becoming politically involved in the United States and the United Kingdom. U.S. data come from the annual National Elections Studies and the November Current Population Surveys. U.K. data come from the British General Election Studies…

Noting that critics charge that news reporting focuses on the superficial, personal characteristics of candidates and ignores the issues underlying elections, this Digest examines the relationship between the political process and political communication through the media. It addresses the power of advertising, cyberspace political communication,…

Using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study 1988 (NELS:88), a nationally representative sample of eighth graders in 1988, who were studies again in 1994 as was analyzed for three voting patterns: registered to vote (68.1%), voted in 1992 presidential election (45.5%), and voted last year in local or state election (30.6%) and…