Near-Final Public Policy Paper
The related learning objectives for this assignment are:
- Demonstrate knowledge of functional areas in government
- Apply knowledge of public policy making to issues of the day
- Create a variety of communication products that convey data and ideas in a way that is understanding and appealing
NOTE: in the individual paper no more than one chart, table or picture may be used, the use of a chart is encouraged.
Each student will turn in an individual analysis of a public policy issue. This will be a continuation of the group project project.
A suggested outline of the paper follows:
- title page, abstract, introductory paragraph
- State the Issue: be specific what is the issue you are addressing? Define the problem clearly.
- Address two of the following background items: social, political, economic, governing or cultural contexts
- What does the Constitution say about the issue(U.S. or State)
- Importance: Why is this issue important? Can you provide a measure for it?
- Status of the issue: What is the current status of the issue – is there a current law on the books, is it something being discussed but there is no policy yet?
- What is your policy goal? What is your stated goal to fix the problem defined above?
- Who might be involved? Stakeholders are groups or people that have an interest in the issue. This includes the government agencies involved, interest groups, and others with an interest in the issue
- Options for resolution: Identify at least two options that might be implemented to meet the goal
- Analyze the options based on one of the given criteria: effectiveness, efficiency or equity
- Make a policy recommendation based on the criteria
- Discuss why your recommendation addresses the public interest
- Conclusion
- Reference list
The paper should be a minimum of five content pages long, that is, the title page and reference list are additional. At least five sources should be used, three of which must be from a peer-reviewed journal. The paper is worth 100 points. The paper must be in APA format; turned in through Webcourses as Turnitin will be utilized.
Key Terms:
Context:
- Social: social context involves the changing nature of society – demographics – such as the “baby boomer” generation effecting health care
- Political: the political context involves ideology, liberals, conservatives, libertarians, political points of view
- Economic: this involves “money”-related aspects – effects on the economy, taxes, income, etc.
- Cultural: religious views, traditions, norms for a particular part of the country, ideas of equality and individuality
- Governing: what are current laws or court decisions regarding the issue? What does the Constitution say about the issue?
Criteria:
- Effectiveness: the ability to achieve the stated policy goal
- Efficiency: the most benefits for the least costs
- Equity: Who pays for the policy and who receives the benefits, is it fair?
Stakeholders: a person, or a group, with an interest or concern in the issue
Grading
- All elements addressed
- How thoughtful is your product? Thoughtful is defined as:
- solid rationale in your statements, no opinion (“I” should not be used)
- class concepts are used and defined, “Activity x is a public good. A public good is….)”
- accuracy and explicitness of statements
- where appropriate, examples are used – from your life, the newspaper, other valid sources.
- Writing
- first, make sure to include a true introductory paragraph, and, later, a closing paragraph. The intro paragraph explains what you will talk about; the closing sums it up -there should be no new information in that paragraph.
- full sentences with no grammatical errors
- essay well organized well – it is easy to understand
- APA should be used. We have practiced APA. This means, a title page should be included, a reference page, in-text citations for sources, 12-point font, etc.
- Turnitin will be activated so that you can see your report and understand if you are citing ideas correctly.
- Use of the Coach
- In an appendix (following the reference page), you must indicated evidence of how you engaged the coach.
Rubric
Policy Paper Rubric
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIssue statement, context discussion, importance: be specific what is the issue you are addressing? Define the problem clearly. o Address two contexts: social, political, economic, cultural. Why is this issue important? Can you provide a measure for it? |
4.0 pts |
||
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStatus of the issue and goal: What is the current status of the issue – is there a current law on the books, is it something being discussed but there is no policy yet? What is your stated goal to fix the problem defined above? |
4.0 pts |
||
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStakeholders: Stakeholders are groups or people that have an interest in the issue. This includes the government agencies involved, interest groups, and others with an interest in the issue. |
3.75 pts |
||
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTwo Alternatives: Identify at least two options that might be implemented to meet the goal |
4.0 pts |
||
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDiscussion of criteria with alternatives: Analyze the options based on one of the given criteria: effectiveness, efficiency or equity |
4.0 pts |
||
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeRecommendation and Public Interest |
3.45 pts |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA, Length, Reference (5) Quality |
3.4 pts |
||
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThoughtfulness: explicit use of concepts, accurate use of concepts, where appropriate, examples are used – from your life, the newspaper, other valid sources. |
4.0 pts |
||
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting and organization: true introductory paragraph, and, later, a closing paragraph; full sentences with no grammatical errors; essay well organized well; Turnitin |
3.4 pts |
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Total Points: 34.0 |
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