Interest Groups Scenarios

Every year, the county hosts a “history fair” for all eighth graders. The county has not decided if they will host it this year. A public health interest group is opposing the fair, wanting to help limit further spread of the virus. A local education interest group is in support of the fair, wanting to give students an opportunity to practice and demonstrate their learning. What is the issue?

• How to stop the spread of the virus

• If we will host the history fair

• How many people are allowed at the history fair

• If the history fair helps people learn

Every year, the county hosts a “history fair” for all eighth graders. The county has not decided if they will host it this year. A public health interest group is opposing the fair, wanting to help limit further spread of the virus. A local education interest group is in support of the fair, wanting to give students an opportunity to practice and demonstrate their learning. What are the two perspectives for this issue?

• Public health- do not have the fair

• Public health- have the fair

• Local education- do not have the fair

• Local education- have the fair

Viewpoint 1: Healthcare should be universal, because all people have a right to healthcare, and no one deserves to spend all their savings on a hospital visit.

Viewpoint 2: Healthcare should have more private options. Competition between different organizations will help lower the healthcare prices.

What can we learn from these two viewpoints?

• Doctors would lose money if we had universal healthcare

• Privatized healthcare will help us cure more diseases

• Healthcare right now is very expensive

• The healthcare system does not need to change

-Laney is a professional soccer player who recently signed a contract to play for the Orlando Pride soccer team in Florida.

-James is the owner of a sports stadium in Orlando and makes money off of selling tickets to various events.

-Vincent's mom loves going to soccer games and Vincent buys her a ticket for her birthday every year.

-Penelope is an independent contractor who makes part of her living from selling shirts at soccer games.

Who is most likely to vote NO on raising taxes to build a second stadium to host more games?

• Laney, because building a second stadium would mean she would have to work more

• James, because if there is a second stadium he would have more competition and less business

• Vincent, because if there were a second stadium ticket prices would likely be cheaper

• Penelope, because if there were a second stadium she would have more opportunities to sell shirts

Which of these describes the main purpose of an interest group?

• To influence government officials on a specific issue

• To form legislative committees that study public policy

• To regulate the economy by setting federal lending rates

• To select cases for hearing in appeals courts

Which of these explains a difference between political parties and interest groups?

• Political parties evaluate government policy, while interest groups set government policy.

• Political parties influence laws, while interest groups ratify laws.

• Political parties address many issues, while interest groups usually focus on one issue.

• Political parties support candidates, while interest groups nominate candidates.

Which of these is an example of lobbying by an interest group?

• A hotel association develops a plan to attract more tourists.

• An animal rights organization presents its views to a legislator.

• A group of citizens asks city officials for a schedule of public hearings.

• A neighborhood association backs a candidate for an election.

The Maryland School Board was deciding if they would have standardized tests this year. The Better Education for All interest group says yes, to make sure teachers are still teaching well. The Doctors for Students interest group says no, because students have many outside issues to deal with this year. Both groups share their perspective through flyers and social media before they speak at a public state meeting. What is the issue?

• How many questions are on standardized tests?

• Will we have standardized tests?

• Who will take standardized tests?

• Should standardized tests penalize teachers this year?

The Maryland School Board was deciding if they would have standardized tests this year. The Better Education for All interest group says yes, to make sure teachers are still teaching well. The Doctors for Students interest group says no, because students have many outside issues to deal with this year. Both groups share their perspective through flyers and social media before they speak at a public state meeting. What are the two perspectives?

• The Better Education for All- take standardized tests

• Doctors for Students- take standardized tests

• The Better Education for All- do not take standardized tests

• Doctors for Students- do not take standardized tests

The Maryland School Board was deciding if they would have standardized tests this year. The Better Education for All interest group says yes, to make sure teachers are still teaching well. The Doctors for Students interest group says no, because students have many outside issues to deal with this year. Both groups share their perspective through flyers and social media before they speak at a public state meeting. Which of the following is not a way they shared their perspective?

• Flyers

• Debates

• Social Media

• Public state meeting