School financial elections are won by analyzing what people know and need to know about the ballot issue; developing a ballot issue that is salable; then organizing, planning, financing, communicating, and finally evaluating to see what went right and what went wrong in the campaign. (Author/MLF)

Methods and sample forms for postelection analysis and preelection surveys are supplied. Other guides include a campaign organization chart, a 12-week campaign calendar, an illustration of a proposed tax increase, and a list of 100 questions that must be answered before final plans for the issue are made. (Author/MLF)

Suggests the study of local issues as an active approach to citizenship education in the elementary and secondary grades. Presents a model activity for high school civics students on investigating the impact of a new shopping mall. (SJL)

Addresses three commonly cited justifications for historical study in considering the value of local history. Speaks to the idea that ignorance of the past condemns persons to the same mistakes, that history offers moral guidance, and that history should be studied for its own essence. Discusses the intrinsic and practical values of history. (KO)

Research on schoolboard and city council elections over a 60-year period in Santa Barbara, California, indicates that the community made roughly simultaneous changes in policy direction in both political areas. The study examines the effects of common ideologies or values on electoral issues and candidates as well as the role of elections as…

This paper describes, with a typology, the effects of localistic (community-focused) educational practice on the curriculum; and it assesses the arguments against localistic curricula which focus on the notion of social control. In conclusion, it offers a conceptual framework which may contribute to analysis of localistic curricula. (Author/SJL)

The rationale for conducting a community survey to obtain information on a specific problem or issue for local school board policy formation is illustrated in this case study. A survey mailed to 10 percent of all district households in a small midwestern city yielded a 31 percent response rate. Survey analysis was utilized by the school board to…

The social studies unit involves students in learning about how their families and neighbors view their community. In addition, students identify community issues and problems, and explore their own attitudes about their community. It is designed for use in grade five through junior high school. There are four parts to the community study project.…