GOVT 2306 Final Exam UPDATED
Questions and CORRECT Answers
The general ideology of Texas public policy in the 21st century could be described as what? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Conservative
When was public education first legislated? - CORRECT ANSWER - In the Texas
Constitution of 1836
Prior to 1900 most education in Texas was handled in what manner? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Private schools and tutoring
What are the Gilmer-Aikin laws? - CORRECT ANSWER - Education reform legislation
passed in 1949 that raised teacher salaries, established board of education, and replaced state
superintendent
What were some of the major issues shaping public education in Texas over the last 50 years? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Funding, civil rights, and desegregation
Brown vs. The Board of Education and Plessy vs. Ferguson were court battles over what? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Segregation
Why are counties important to Texas government? - CORRECT ANSWER - Provides
local government on state's behalf. They're main expression of Texas and governs rural areas.
What is a special district? What does a special district do? - CORRECT ANSWER - Unit
of government that delivers a specific service, not limited in size, limited to specific geographic
area (Ex. school district)
The chief law enforcement officer in any county is who? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
Sheriff
, What are the differences between a home rule and general law city? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Home administer themselves and have more power/autonomy. General law
city has county administers
What city currently has a city government with a strong mayor-council form of government? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Houston
A school district is a form of what? - CORRECT ANSWER - Special district government
Providing a label to identify political candidates is an important function of what? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Political parties
The movements toward the fringe areas of both the Democrat and Republican parties leaving
them unable to compromise is known as what? - CORRECT ANSWER - Partisan
Polarization
The Democratic party generally gains an overwhelming majority of what demographic groups? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Young 18-35, minorities, women, urban residents
Currently in Texas the State government is controlled by what party? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Republican
What is political socialization? - CORRECT ANSWER - The process by which life/events
create your political belief structure
What is the general demographic makeup of the Republican party? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Older, white, male, upper class, rural
What is a primary election? When are they generally held? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
candidate in the general election, takes place the 2nd Tuesday of March (spring)
Questions and CORRECT Answers
The general ideology of Texas public policy in the 21st century could be described as what? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Conservative
When was public education first legislated? - CORRECT ANSWER - In the Texas
Constitution of 1836
Prior to 1900 most education in Texas was handled in what manner? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Private schools and tutoring
What are the Gilmer-Aikin laws? - CORRECT ANSWER - Education reform legislation
passed in 1949 that raised teacher salaries, established board of education, and replaced state
superintendent
What were some of the major issues shaping public education in Texas over the last 50 years? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Funding, civil rights, and desegregation
Brown vs. The Board of Education and Plessy vs. Ferguson were court battles over what? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Segregation
Why are counties important to Texas government? - CORRECT ANSWER - Provides
local government on state's behalf. They're main expression of Texas and governs rural areas.
What is a special district? What does a special district do? - CORRECT ANSWER - Unit
of government that delivers a specific service, not limited in size, limited to specific geographic
area (Ex. school district)
The chief law enforcement officer in any county is who? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
Sheriff
, What are the differences between a home rule and general law city? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Home administer themselves and have more power/autonomy. General law
city has county administers
What city currently has a city government with a strong mayor-council form of government? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Houston
A school district is a form of what? - CORRECT ANSWER - Special district government
Providing a label to identify political candidates is an important function of what? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Political parties
The movements toward the fringe areas of both the Democrat and Republican parties leaving
them unable to compromise is known as what? - CORRECT ANSWER - Partisan
Polarization
The Democratic party generally gains an overwhelming majority of what demographic groups? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Young 18-35, minorities, women, urban residents
Currently in Texas the State government is controlled by what party? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Republican
What is political socialization? - CORRECT ANSWER - The process by which life/events
create your political belief structure
What is the general demographic makeup of the Republican party? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Older, white, male, upper class, rural
What is a primary election? When are they generally held? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
candidate in the general election, takes place the 2nd Tuesday of March (spring)
