I studied comparative politics as an undergraduate at Carleton College and began teaching the Advanced Placement course in Comparative Government and Politics when it was introduced in 1986. Over 80% of my students regularly received scores of 4 and 5. In 1992, I began reading (i.e. grading) AP government and politics exams.
Beginning in 1993, I was one of the original moderators of the AP Government and Politics electronic discussion group for teachers. I have conducted College Board workshops and institutes for teachers at Carleton College, Oakland University, Saint Mary's College, Triton College, and the University of Michigan.
In 1997, I was asked to write "Quick Guide to the Internet for Political Science" and the Instructor's Manual and Test Bank to accompany Hauss' "Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges."
In 2005, the Center for Learning published my unit of teaching plans for AP Comparative Government and Politics (AP-CGP).
The first edition of "What You Need to Know" was published in 2003. It's now in its 6th edition. My AP-CGP "Review Checklist" was first published in 2010 and "AP-CGP Teaching Tools" appeared in 2012. Both have been updated.
In 2014, a shorter review guide full of definitions and examples, "Just The Facts!," was published.