Words Matter

A plain-language glossary for the words that shape public life.

Political Systems & Ideologies

Government structures and political philosophies that shape how power is distributed, who makes decisions, and how authority is justified. These terms are often used loosely. This section pins down their actual meanings and explains how they function in practice.

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Voucher System

A voucher system allows families to use public funds to pay for private school tuition. Funding follows the student, and oversight varies by state and program design.

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Charter School

A publicly funded school that operates under a performance contract granting it more flexibility in exchange for meeting academic, financial, and governance expectations.

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Curriculum Standards

State-defined expectations for what students should learn at each grade level. They guide curriculum, instruction, and assessments and ensure consistency across schools while leaving teaching methods to local educators.

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Reform

Changes made within existing systems to correct problems, improve performance, or update rules. It can adjust procedures, shift authority, or reorient goals, depending on how laws, policies, and institutions are redesigned.

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Oversight

Refers to the systems that monitor how public agencies and officials use their power. It includes reviewing decisions, ensuring compliance with law and policy, and holding institutions accountable through audits, investigations, and public reporting.

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Use of Force

Refers to the actions officers may take to gain control of a situation, ranging from verbal commands to deadly force. Laws and policies require that force be reasonable, necessary, and proportional, and agencies review incidents for compliance with constitutional and departmental standards.

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Civic Literacy

Civic literacy is the ability to understand how public systems work and how to navigate them. It includes knowledge of governmental structures, rights, responsibilities, and the practical skills needed to engage effectively in public life.

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Civics

Civics refers to the knowledge and skills needed to understand how government works and participate in public life. It includes the structure of institutions, rights and responsibilities, and the processes that shape policy and accountability.

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Representation

Representation is the principle that elected officials act on behalf of the people who choose them. It is a foundational element of democratic governance, providing a structured way for public preferences to influence policy. Representation determines who has a voice in decision-making and whose interests shape institutions.

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Democracy

A system of government in which political authority ultimately comes from the people. Citizens participate in selecting leaders, shaping public policy, and holding institutions accountable. Democratic systems vary widely, but they generally rely on competitive elections, rule of law, protections for dissent, and mechanisms that limit the abuse of power.