Diana E. Hess Senior Vice President, Spencer Foundation Professor, University of WI-Madison

 What is political polarization?  Why is the US so politically polarized?  What happened in the November election that is important for teachers to understand?  How does political polarization create barriers to high quality civic education?  What might we do differently?

Political polarization refers to moments in time when political discourse and action bifurcates toward ideological extremes, causing a crowding out of voices in the middle, leaving little room for political compromise.

ConservativeLiberal

Conservative Liberal Movement toward ideological extremes

ConservativeLiberal

 Ideological sorting is happening residentially, and in our social spheres.  When we talk with people who agree with us, our views tend to move toward the extremes.  One result is a more active, but also more hostile, political sphere.

Red = 70% Rep Blue = 70% Dem

Red = 70% Rep Blue = 70% Dem

 People are able to only interact with people and read material that support their views.  = Ideological amplification  = less tolerant public, but more likely to vote/participate

ResponsePercent 1 – Not at all – Very Frequently 4.9 “Talked about news and current events with people who disagree with you”

For the past 6 consecutive elections, youth have voted Democratic, but there is still significant Republican support.

Source: CIRCLE, 40% 52 % 50 %

Young Voters Party Identification Democratic Party 26% 37%27% Republican Party 26%37%27%40% Independent 30%29%27%28% Political Ideology of Young Voters Liberal 13%27%36%28% Moderate 45%42%45%46% Conservative 42%31%20%26% Vote Choice Democratic Candidate 50%51%46%49% Republican Candidate 48%47%41%39% Other Candidate 2% 13%

In Colorado, Obama carried the Latino vote by a wide margin—75% to 23%. The president’s performance among Latino voters in Colorado was better than in 2008, when Obama won the Latino vote 61% to 38%. Hispanics made up 14% of Colorado voters this year, up from 13% in 2008.

 Schools are institutions experiencing growing public distrust.  Teachers’ political views under scrutiny.  In many schools, it is much harder to engage students in high quality, non-partisan civic education.  Is it in your school?

No one right answer - would expect disagreement and teachers would aim for multiple and competing views, best care- fair hearing of competing points of view Question for which there is a right answer that teachers want students to build and believe Open Issues: Closed Issues:

 Don’t abandon the project. Schools a good place for non-partisan political education.  Activate the differences you have.  Choose questions and topics carefully (open political and ethical questions).  Play fair. Don’t encourage/model the values of polarization.  Make the case to the public, parents, school board members, and administrators.

The political classroom is one that helps students to develop their ability to collectively make decisions about how we ought to live.

Presidential Debate Viewing Students have a viewing session of the first Presidential Debate sponsored by their school.