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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil Service Reform: Senate Debates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the 1883 Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. They discuss the spoils system, answer discussion questions, read and analyze speeches, complete a worksheet summarizing their findings, and report their findings to the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil Service Reform: Campaign Contributions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the campaign contribution scandal in Illinois during the 1990s. They listen to a teacher-led discussion, answer discussion questions, compare/contrast two reform acts, and write their own civil service law.
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Website
Other

Center for Responsive Politics: Open Secrets

For Students 9th - 10th
Opensecrets.org is a non-partisan, non-profit research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy.