( CNN Student News ) -- Students will examine different proposals to reform the Electoral College and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these proposals . Procedure . Point out that proposals to reform the Electoral College system are not uncommon , especially after close U.S. presidential elections like the one in 2000 . Refer students to the Electoral College One-Sheet and online resources , including those listed , to review arguments for and against the Electoral College system and to examine some of the proposed modifications to the Electoral College . Have students share their findings in a class discussion and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different reform proposals . Following the discussion , instruct students to draw upon their research to write position papers on whether or not they think that the U.S. electoral system should be reformed , and if so , which reforms make the most sense . Have students share their papers with the class . Correlated Standards . Civics . 9-12 Content Standards . II . What are the Foundations of the American Political System ? A . What is the American idea of constitutional government ? B . What are the distinctive characteristics of American society ? C. What is American political culture ? D. What values and principles are basic to American constitutional democracy ? III . How Does the Government Established by the Constitution Embody the Purposes , Values , and Principles of American Democracy ? A . How are power and responsibility distributed , shared , and limited in the government established by the United States Constitution ? B . How is the national government organized and what does it do ? C. How are state and local governments organized and what do they do ? D. What is the place of law in the American constitutional system ? The National Standards for Civics and Government ( http : //www.civiced.org/index.php ? page=stds ) are published by the Center for Civic Education ( http : //www.civiced.org/ ) . Social Studies . Standard X. Civic Ideals and Practices . Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the ideals , principles , and practices of citizenship in a democratic republic . The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies ( http : //www.socialstudies.org/standards/strands/ ) are published by the National Council for Social Studies ( http : //www.socialstudies.org/ ) . Keywords . Electoral College , reform , civics , government .
Review arguments for and against the Electoral College system . Examine some of the proposed modifications to the Electoral College . Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different reform proposals .