Teaching About Political Parties and Ideology Beyond State Standards

November 1, 2016

Educators want young people to become “informed voters” by studying issues and candidates before casting ballots. However, while studying issues is one important aspect of becoming informed, researchers Paula McAvoy and Rebecca Fine, UW–Madison, and Ann Herrera Ward, Carroll University, argue that without connecting the issues to ideology and political parties, educators overlook what political scientists say motivates people who show up to the polls. 

Download: "State Standards Scratch the Surface of Learning about Political Parties and Ideology," Paula McAvoy, Rebecca Fine, Ann Herrera Ward, The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 2016.