Candidate Evaluation
From iCivics
In this lesson which is part of the Politics and Public Policy curriculum, students: “evaluate hypothetical candidates by establishing and applying their own criteria for selecting public officials. Through a variety of activities, students assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, campaign speeches and campaign materials. Students track campaign promises, explore voting records and evaluate the legitimacy of information resources. The role of the media, fundraising and opinion polls in the electoral process is also discussed.”
Objectives
Students will be able to:
* establish, explain and apply criteria useful in selecting political leaders.
* evaluate candidates based on their qualifications, experience, speeches and advertisements.
* examine candidates’ promises and how they align with the offices they seek and their voting records.
* evaluate information and arguments from various sources.
* identify stands taken by candidates on issues.
This lesson is appropriate either as a primary lesson for younger students but could also be used as a reteaching or supplementary lesson for high school.