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National Student/Parent Mock Election Photos
Winners of the National Association of Secondary School Principals Award, given in recognition of outstanding contributions to teaching democracy:
At Spain Park High School in Hoover, Alabama, 1136 of the school’s 1361 students voted in the Mock Election. Election-related units were taught in multiple Spanish, English, art, math, economics, dance, culinary arts, business education as well as social studies.
A patriotic assembly before the election featured the school’s band, dancers, singers and essay excerpts from a winner of the George Washington Honor Medal. 1400 participants wore masks, created by the arts class, depicting their preferred candidate.
Business education students created registration cards modeled after state voter registration forms. Government students performed original songs, presented original poetry, PowerPoint presentations, game shows, newscasts and participated in a constitutional hoedown to answer student questions. Economics students reviewed the correlation between economic data (misery index, real income growth, GDP growth) and past Presidential elections to predict the likely 2008 election winner and forecast results for 2010 and 2012.
Advanced photography students designed election posters; the art department created two large murals of the faces of McCain and Obama. Pre-AP Algebra students analyzed the quadratic relationship between car speed and fuel economy to emphasize the importance of fuel economy as it related to the 2008 election. Math classes graphed population as x and electoral votes as y to determine geometric means as related to the electoral college. Others researched ages of presidents and vice presidents and tendencies related to them to determine if there was a correlation between the presidents and the vice presidents they chose. Algebra students surveyed over 200 community members per class regarding issues questions, then prepared histograms and frequency tables of the results.
Language and composition students divided into groups to research candidates and speak as “candidates” to “voters” while “media” posed questions about platforms. Ninth grade English classes researched election issues online; each student wrote a letter to the next president to try to persuade him to take the student’s stance on one or more of the issues. Accounting students researched election law/regulation related to financials and then compared candidates’ financial documents. The debate team presented views of candidate positions in spots broadcast via the school’s TV station. AP history students held weekly current event discussions on the candidates. Social studies faculty organized and conducted the Mock Registration Drive and provided precinct captains with “official” voter lists. The dance program learned different styles of dance that represent the country, including swing, lyrical, jazz and pom, all with patriotic themes. Culinary students prepared red, white and blue foods for the Mock Election reception. Broadcast communication classes delivered live broadcasts over closed circuit TV throughout the day.
Parent participation was high for this event, beginning with the school’s PTSO (Parents, Teachers, Student’s Organization) providing a grant of $500. Parents decorated “election headquarters”, the lobby and the “precincts”. Parent volunteers served as “precinct captains” and “election officials”. One parent was surprised to see that some students who failed to register to vote lined up anyway, hoping to participate. The parent noted that those students might remember the experience and be much more inclined to register when eligible to vote in a real election.
Spain Park High School Coordinator Cheryl Morrow added a new element to this year’s Mock Election program, coordinating with the Supervisor of Elections for both Jefferson County and Shelby County to train registered-voter high school students to become paid poll workers.
According to Morrow, “When science, language arts, foreign languages, art and math teachers integrated their curriculum to teach the electoral process, then our students began to realize how critical it is to understand politics, public policy and public purpose that underscore our social studies curriculum.” Student discussions, she said, “reflected an enthusiasm that many teachers have never witnessed before in their teaching career.”
Spain Park High School Pictures
The League of Women Voters of Oregon Education Fund (LWVOREF) has been a consistent National Student/Parent Mock Election award winner. The League’s proven ability to continue building momentum is evidenced by Oregon’s Mock Election growing voter participation levels – an increase of 130% from 2004 to 2008.
Key to the League’s success is its steering committee and partnership with educators and state agencies/organizations, including the Oregon Secretary of State, the Oregon Department of Education, the Oregon School Boards Association, the Oregon Parent Teacher Association, the Oregon Association of Broadcasters and the City of Beaverton.
The 2008 Oregon Mock Election involved 324 schools statewide and 48,426 voters. The League’s project provided a blog, curriculum materials, flyers, handouts, registration forms, a mock ballot, PowerPoint presentations, Spanish translations, large print versions, audio recordings of reference materials, age/ability appropriate materials, press releases, articles, and more. The Teachers’ Guide included a contact list of classroom speakers, resources and activities for researching and debating ballot measures and national issues, history about state and national elections, classroom exercises, discussion questions, and more. At least 16 media stories were generated on the radio, television, internet or in print throughout the state. On the League’s Mock Election blog, students discussed their ideas on democratic participation, the importance of voting, voter eligibility, and the benefits and drawbacks of the Electoral College.
The 2008 Oregon Mock Election culminated with live-streaming of Mock Election Day, including a student-led press conference with a question and answer session between press and students (covered by over six media outlets). Both the Mayor of Beaverton and Oregon Secretary of State attended and spoke on the importance of voter participation.
Coordinator Krista Horning and LWVOR Executive Administrator Rebecca Smith noted that “Our prepared and state-approved curriculum, as well as the flexibility of the Oregon and National Student/Parent Mock Election programs, made it easy for teachers to incorporate these essential lessons into their curriculum…a welcome resource for teachers in Oregon…”
The League of Women Voters of Oregon Education Fund (LWVOREF) Pictures
Kwajalein Jr/Sr High School, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands – a fledging democracy -- is located on the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, a military installation in a multicultural setting with Anglo, Filipino, Hawaiian, Hispanic, African-American and Asian populace.
Students at Kwajalein prepared for their “Election 2008” with daily intercom announcements, an information center in the library, a bulletin board with candidate biographies, a TV/video station where students could watch taped replays of the presidential and vice-presidential debates, election-related articles from magazines, and computer stations where students could conduct their own research. Special classroom lessons included the use of websites such as factcheck.org. Upon registering, each student received a political button, then answered questions about the issues to help determine political persuasion. Students produced a ten minute video of the school’s presidential rally at which students role-played candidates, Secret Service agents, etc., and posted it on YouTube. Students who assumed the identity of candidates and their spouses prepared in advance, learning the mannerisms of candidates, perfecting speeches and preparing wardrobes. The island newspaper covered the story and lively discussions about “Election 2008” ensued in student’s homes.
The mock election demonstrated the practice of democracy in the U.S. to Republic of the Marshall Islands students at the school. 99% of students voted. Coordinator Ricardo Fullerton noted that “The Republic of the Marshall Islands is a relatively young democratic nation. Host nation students within the school participated in the planning and developing of all activities…these young adults found themselves caught up in the election process, and were as excited as their American counterparts as the process reached its crescendo and culminated in the rally and mock election. These activities will live on as a reminder to these students as they work to grow their own democracy…”
Kwajalein Jr/Sr High School Pictures
(courtesy Dan Adler, Kwajalein Hourglass)
Desert Heights Elementary School in Reno, Nevada began their project as a grassroots effort by enthusiastic coordinator Chrissy Stranahan. As a first-time NSPME participant, Desert Heights not only organized a successful Mock Election, but also followed it with an Inaugural Ball with 250 in attendance.
Students competed in a poster contest, created invitations inviting elected officials and candidates to participate, held dress-up days (patriotic hat day, Presidents and First Ladies day, Red/White and Blue day, Nevada Day), presented a musical performance entitled “We are Americans”, hosted a presentation from the Joe Foss Institute “Veterans Inspiring Patriotism”, and encouraged their parents to become part of the fun as voters on Mock Election Day.
Participation was 100%, with every student, teacher and staff member voting. In addition to parents, representatives of the Air National Guard, Police and Fire Departments, and local businesses participated to show the importance of voting. The State Treasurer, State Controller and a candidate for Senate addressed the students about the election process.
According to Stranahan, “The real prize has been watching these students grow and learn about our nation, to feel pride in participating in the Democratic process…They are America, and I have been so proud to watch them show me what they can do.”
Desert Heights Elementary School Pictures
Desert Heights Inaugural Pictures
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