It's not that these teenagers don't care, they simply have others things going on in their lives these days. And, as the county considers whether to build a new outdoor pool at Vint Hill, she knows politics can affect even recreational aspects of life. Still, politics remains low on her list of interests. Though his classes always study elections, the 2000 presidential race offers a chance for a much closer, more interactive look. Signs that students are paying attention already adorn the classroom walls.
Political cartoons fill the bulletin board and count as extra credit.
During the next month, his students will videotape and analyze the presidential debates. They will research and write about the positions Al Gore, George W. Bush, Pat Buchanan and Ralph Nader take on a set of 23 issues, ranging from abortion and gun control to drugs and school choice. Already, they're starting to pay attention. A couple of students recorded last week's debate between Hillary Clinton and Rick Lazio in New York's U.S. Senate race for extra credit. Part of Mr. Smith's plan to get the students interested means making their involvement count toward their grade.