Idaho Social Studies 9-12.GOV.50
The Standard
Examine campaign finance laws and campaign funding and spending, including the impact of Supreme Court decisions, the nationalization of campaign financing, and the role of interest groups.
Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies · The American Electoral System
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students track where campaign money comes from and what it pays for. They compare rules for direct donations and independent ads, then explain how court rulings and national groups affect district races.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain that direct donations to federal candidates have limits, while independent spending does not. They can connect Citizens United to outside spending and show how an out-of-state group might influence a district race.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often think Citizens United removed limits on direct donations to candidates. They may think a super PAC can plan ads with a campaign, or that only local donors fund a district race.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A donor offers $10,000 directly to a House candidate and $100,000 for ads made without the campaign's help. Which payment faces a contribution limit, and how might a national group use the second payment?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs mock donor cards and dollar tokens; have them place money on a chart labeled candidate donations, super PAC funds, and ad spending.
Ask: Should an out-of-state group pay for ads in a House district race? Write a claim that names one campaign finance rule.
Read four spending scenarios aloud; students hold up direct or independent cards and explain whether working with the candidate changes the rules.
On FEC.gov, find an independent expenditure in New York's 2024 19th House district race and compare the spender's address with the district.
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