Create Your Own Political Party: Reflections and Rubric

 

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching American Government is finding meaningful ways to help students connect abstract political concepts to their lived experiences and the world around them. The “Create Your Own Political Party” project was designed with that purpose in mind, to allow students to move beyond rote memorization of party platforms and instead develop a deep understanding of the role political parties play in our democracy. As I reflect on this project, I am proud of what the students accomplished and what I believe they walked away having learned.

The premise of the assignment was simple yet profound: students had to create their own political party from scratch. They were responsible for naming their party, crafting a mission statement, designing a logo and slogan, outlining their positions on major policy issues, and presenting their party platform to the class. Additionally, they had to explain who their target demographic would be and how they would mobilize support. For many students, this was their first time having to think critically about political ideologies, platforms, and how party values are communicated to the public.

From the outset, it was clear that students were excited by the creative freedom of the project. Giving them the agency to design something of their own made them feel empowered, and it opened the door for thoughtful political expression. Many students took the opportunity to reflect on the issues that mattered to them most: climate change, women's rights, education, healthcare, and economic inequality, among others. It was a powerful reminder that young people are not apathetic; they are deeply concerned with the world they are inheriting and want a say in how it operates.

As students debated and deliberated within their groups, I witnessed the organic development of political ideologies. They quickly realized that political parties are more than just a list of issue positions; they represent values, worldviews, and visions for the country. Some groups leaned progressive, advocating for systemic reforms and equity-based policies. Others took on a more conservative tone, emphasizing individual responsibility, limited government, and traditional social values. Still others tried to carve out a centrist or independent space, critiquing what they saw as the failures of both major parties and emphasizing pragmatism over ideology.

What was most encouraging was the level of research and discussion that occurred. In order to build a believable and coherent platform, students had to do more than just guess what policies "sounded good." They had to investigate how laws are made, how government agencies operate, how taxes are collected and spent, and how political messaging influences public opinion. In doing so, they gained a more nuanced understanding of the complexity of governing. They began to appreciate that political decisions are rarely black and white, and that even well-intentioned policies come with trade-offs.

Another important takeaway was how students began to understand the function of political parties beyond just elections. Through this project, they learned that parties serve to organize political thought, build coalitions, and give voters a shorthand way of understanding a candidate's values. They also saw how third parties historically have pushed the major parties to evolve or address new issues. Several groups even chose to position their parties as alternatives to the dominant Democratic and Republican parties, citing political gridlock and lack of representation for marginalized voices.

Perhaps one of the most illuminating aspects of the project came during the presentation phase. As each group explained their party’s platform to their classmates, there was a clear sense of pride and seriousness. Students fielded questions from their peers, defended their policy choices, and sometimes even had to acknowledge contradictions in their platform. This led to some incredibly thoughtful exchanges and demonstrated that students were not only absorbing the material but also learning how to articulate, challenge, and refine their political thinking.

Overall, the “Create Your Own Political Party” project did more than teach students about political parties, it invited them to engage with politics as participants rather than spectators. It gave them a voice and a space to imagine a better political future. In a time when cynicism about government is rampant, this project served as a reminder that the next generation is ready to engage; provided, we give them the tools, the space, and the opportunity to do so. I believe they walked away with a better grasp of how American political systems work, a stronger sense of civic identity, and, hopefully, a deeper commitment to being active, informed citizens. That is the true goal of civic education, and this project moved us closer to it.

Rubric

Category	Exemplary (10 points)	Proficient (8 points)	Developing (6 points)	Needs Improvement (4 or below)
Party Name & Symbol	Creative, relevant, and clearly connected to party values and mission	Name and symbol are appropriate and mostly relevant	Basic name/symbol with limited connection to party ideology	Name/symbol missing or lacks relevance
Party Platform (Beliefs & Issues)	Thorough, well-developed, and clearly stated positions on at least 4 major issues (e.g., economy, education, healthcare, foreign policy)	Clearly stated positions on 3–4 issues with some development	Positions are vague, underdeveloped, or missing key issues	Minimal or unclear stance on issues
Foundational Values	Deep understanding of civic ideals; clear ideological identity (liberal, conservative, libertarian, etc.)	Adequate grasp of civic values and political ideology	Limited clarity on the party’s guiding philosophy	Values and ideology not clearly defined
Membership Demographics	Clear explanation of who the party appeals to and why (age, race, location, occupation, etc.)	General explanation of party appeal	Vague or generalized group without specific reasoning	No defined demographic or rationale
Campaign Strategy	Highly creative strategy for gaining support (ads, social media, rallies, endorsements, slogans)	Basic but effective campaign elements present	Campaign idea needs refinement or depth	Lacks a clear campaign plan
Visuals & Presentation	Visually engaging, neat, and well-organized; excellent oral or visual presentation	Clear and mostly organized presentation with some visuals	Presentation lacks visuals or is somewhat disorganized	Poor visual or oral presentation, or incomplete
Teamwork & Collaboration (if group project)	All members contributed significantly; strong collaboration evident	Most members contributed; fair collaboration	Uneven contribution from team members	Very little teamwork or collaboration evident
Creativity & Originality	Exceptionally creative ideas and unique perspective	Some original ideas present	Limited creativity; mostly generic or copied ideas	Lacks originality or creative thought
Grammar, Spelling, & Mechanics	No errors; polished and professional quality	Few errors that don’t interfere with understanding	Multiple errors that slightly interfere with clarity	Frequent errors that hinder comprehension