Learning Experience/Unit
Participation in Government and Economics: Student Investigation of a Key Public Policy Issue
Grade Levels
Commencement, 12th Grade
Learning Context/ Introduction
The ability to analyze a public policy issue is critical to good citizenship. To be truly informed on an issue and to make knowledgeable decisions about it requires knowledge of multiple viewpoints, individuals, and past and proposed legislation. Furthermore, electronically accessing information allows for expansion of knowledge to include databases, information retrieval systems, and other library and museum resources throughout the world.
Assessment
The completed project will be evaluated using a rubric (scoring guide) to measure four components in varying amounts. Students must complete all four components of the project for it to be accepted. The following is a list of the project components and their grading value:
Student Work
Click on the link below:
Reflection
As a group product, there existed opportunities to demonstrate multiple intelligences. For example, students were required to search and arrange for speakers as an effective group. (interpersonal). The requirement of producing a graphic appealed to the visual/motor domain. Students were accorded the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do and know in an arena other than “on demand” traditional pencil and paper exam.
Authors
Joseph Corr, John DeGuardi, Diane Hobdan, Donald Mion and Thomas Pallas
Shaker High School
North Colonie Central Schools
Latham, New York 12110
Source
Corr, Joseph, John DeGuardi, Diane Hobdan, Donald Mion and Thomas Pallas "Student Investigation of a Key Public Policy Issue in Participation in Government and Economics." Social Studies Resource Guide with the Core Curriculum. New York State Education Department, 186-193.
Procedure
What Students Do:
- Select and analyze a public policy issue.
- Create a hot list of web sites that have been explored and investigated as a result of a web search on the Internet. The list must include the accurate web address, a brief description of each web site explaining why it is useful and/or for what it is used, a list of email addresses, and at least one contact.
- Access two different viewpoints on the issue via CD ROM. Submit a hard copy of these sources with a brief description of why the source was or was not useful.
- Locate information through traditional/print methods including textbook searching, magazine articles, first-person interviews, television reports, newspapers, microfilm, or other sources. Obtain two viewpoints from the above sources, one in favor of the topic position and one opposed to the topic/position.
- Create a journal in which students reflect upon the search process citing searches and resources they found useful and productive and those they found to be frustrating and difficult. The journal must indicate the reasons for success or failure of a particular search and offer evidence of substantial time on task.
- Produce a group Hot Issue Newsletter containing the following:
- a list of useful web sties and email addresses
- a summary of positions on all sides of the issue
- a list of key individuals involved in the issue
- two visuals, one of which is a political cartoon, the other a student created graphic representation
- information incorporated from previous stations.
- Individually produce a position letter following the format of the National Issues Forum and send it via e-mail to one or more of the following:
- elected public officials
- editors of news periodicals
- corporate leaders
- Function effectively as a cooperative work group.
Student Work
Learner Outcomes
- To recognize key issues in public policy debates, examine all sides, and defend positions on
the issues.
- To become knowledgeable and competent in the tools of the electronic work place, including
electronic mail, CD ROM, and on-line services.
- To enhance skills relative to data collection through the use of online resources, CD ROM,
e-mail, print resources, interviews, and speakers.
- To organize, analyze, and interpret data collected into a newsletter informing classmates
about the multiple aspects of an issue.
- To work effectively as a cooperative group.
- To take action on an issue by writing a letter to involved individuals and agencies explaining
one’s position and, where appropriate, prescribing a specific response.
Groups will be created to study a public policy issue. Each group will be required to use a variety
of sources, both electronic and traditional print, to analyze a public policy issue. Class time
and time after school will be utilized to collect information on the issue through the use of
online services, e-mail, CD ROM information banks, print resources, interviews, and speakers.
Each individual student will be required to keep a journal that reflects upon their successes and
difficulties when engaged in electronic searching. The following represent the objectives for each
search section:
Online Objectives
- Create a Hot List that pertains to your issue. This Hot List is a list of web sites that you have
explored and investigated as a result of your web search on the Internet.
- Each Hot List must contain:
- a list of web sites’ accurate addresses
- a brief description of each web site explaining why it is useful and/or what it is used for, a
list of e-mail addresses, and at least one contact.
CD ROM Objectives
- Using CD ROM sources, locate information on your project. Obtain two different viewpoints
on your issue.
- Submit a hard copy of any information you accessed via CD-ROM with a brief description
of whether the source was useful or not and reasons why it was or was not useful.
Speaker Presentation Group Objectives
- Choose an issue or topic. Find resource persons or organizations related to the issue. Include
name, address, and phone number.
- Group must find speakers who represent views on a particular side of an issue. Two such
speakers must be contacted in order to present their viewpoint to the class at large. Speakers
may be contacted via letter, phone, or email.
- All issues and speakers must meet the approval of instructor prior to any arrangements
being made. A speaker request form must be approved by the social studies supervisor, Mr.
Corr.
- A directory must be kept by group of persons or organizations contacted.
- An outline of topics or subtopics must be prepared to address points of interest the group
wants speakers to address. This should be typed in standard form and presented to class for
discussion.
- Compile a list of e-mail addresses of speakers on both sides of the issue.
Traditional/Print Objectives
- Locate information on your project by using the following methods: textbook searches, magazine
articles, first-person interviews, television reports, newspapers, microfilm, etc.
- From TWO of the above sources, obtain TWO viewpoints, ONE in favor of your topic/position
and ONE in opposition to your topic/position.
- Then, submit from your group to your teacher for inspection the hard copy of the item(s)
that have been researched using traditional search methods.
Groups will then be required to produce a Hot Issue Newsletter containing the:
- a hot list of useful web sites and e-mail addresses
- a summary of positions on all sides of the issue
- a list of key individuals involved in the issue
- two visuals, one of which is a political cartoon, the other a student created graphic representation
- information incorporated from previous stations.
After the newsletter has been completed, each individual student is to produce a position letter.
This letter should follow the format of the National Issues Forum and should be sent via e-mail
to one or more of the following:
- elected public officials
- editors of news periodicals
- corporate leaders
