The goal of the “Candidate Platform” assignment is to learn about the educational platform of a current candidate (at the local, state, or federal level) and the democratic issues around that platform—so that students can:

#1 understand the significance of the democratic process as it relates to schools and education in U.S. society

#2 develop critical reading skills and practices for interpreting public statements or platforms about education and school issues

The product you will create is an analysis designed for a peer who has not taken EDL 204, which can inform them about how this candidate’s platform relates to education issues and challenges in our country.

Background of the assignment

Fall 2020 is a significant election year (election day is Tuesday November 3). On the ballot this year are, at the federal level, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of 100 seats of the US Senate, and the office of the President and Vice President of the United States. At the state level, there are 13 governor positions up for election. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_United_States_elections (链接到外部网站。)

In Ohio, electors will vote for the President, House of Representatives, Ohio Supreme Court (2 positions); Ohio State Senate (16) Ohio State House (all 99 seats) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Ohio_elections (链接到外部网站。)

There are no school board elections in Ohio in 2020, but there will be many local ballot issues, including school levies.

Dates to know for the Fall election:

General election voter registration deadline: Oct. 5, 2020. (to register to vote see: https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/ (链接到外部网站。)

• Early voting begins: Oct. 6, 2020
• General election: Nov. 3, 2020

https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?search=2020+ballot+measures&title=Special:Search&profile=default&fulltext=1&searchToken=kxmyb885i98nxa5do7i39e7p (链接到外部网站。)

Step #1: Researching your candidate’s positions

You will need to do research to complete this assignment. Visit at least one or two of the sites below to gather information about your candidate:

• Ballotpedia (链接到外部网站。) is a nonpartisan website with databases on local, state, and national political candidates and issues.
• OnTheIssues (链接到外部网站。) is a nonpartisan website on political leaders
• Vote411 (链接到外部网站。) is a voter website sponsored by the nonpartisan group, League of Women Voters.

If you use other news-related and/or partisan sites (like political party sites), make sure you are taking into account the positions and biases of that party or group when you’re interpreting information from that site. This is a good introduction to critical reading of media in general that may be helpful: https://www.medialit.org/reading-room/news-balance-bias-critical-questions (链接到外部网站。)

Step #2: Outline the paper, using these guidelines

1. Introduce and describe the candidate and the position that they are running for (including whether that position is federal, state, or local) and any party affiliation. Discuss any particular issues around that position/office, as well as any particular issues or challenges in that district (e.g. is it a high poverty district? Rural? Urban?)

1. Identify the candidate’s position on education or schools. Use websites, speeches, social media posts or other sources to describe, and explain any particular positions that the candidate holds related to schools, education, or children/families more generally. If that candidate is an incumbent or has held a previous office, you can also mention their voting record or previous legislative accomplishments regarding education bills or laws.

1. What is mentioned and not mentioned in the candidate’s position statement? What positions are emphasized, and why? What seems missing? Is the statement vague, or detailed?

1. How does this candidate’s campaign literature/messages use the word “democracy” and what do you think this candidate envisions this term to mean? If they do not use the term, how do they talk about democratic issues like rights, responsibilities, freedoms, and equality, etc. Discuss their meanings of democracy as compared with either Quantz or Collins (from assigned readings in EDL 204).

1. How does this candidate differ from their opponent(s) on education issues?

1. Make a claim about why voters should, or should not support this candidate, based on your analysis of their position(s) and/or record.

1. Include 2-3 sources (outside of the candidate’s website) that refers to or further explains any of the candidate’s issues or context. (See above under “Research” for sources you can use to learn about your candidate’s positions.)

Assignment results

Write a paper which is designed for an audience of your peers who are not taking EDL 204, presenting them with an analysis of the candidate’s position(s) on education law, policy, and values.

Submit a double-spaced 3-5-paged paper, Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, using APA style for formatting and citations.

评分标准说明

Candidate Platform Project