Executive Policy Design Lab
Created byAnnie Valencia
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Executive Policy Design Lab

Grade 12Social Studies1 days
The Executive Policy Design Lab is a project for 12th-grade social studies students focused on designing effective and ethical executive policies. The project challenges students to explore the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, its influence on policy-making, and the integration of technology into policy proposals. Through inquiry and research, students analyze socio-political issues, propose solutions, and develop argumentative writing skills for crafting robust policy arguments. Key activities include a simulated presidential brief, policymaker interviews, and a technological enhancement workshop.
Executive BranchPolicy MakingSocio-Political IssuesTechnology IntegrationEthical ConsiderationsArgumentative WritingStakeholder Influence
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we as aspiring policy makers design effective and ethical executive policies that address complex socio-political issues while considering the roles, responsibilities, and influences on the Executive Branch of the U.S. government?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Branch in the U.S. government?
  • How does the Executive Branch influence policy-making in the United States?
  • What are some examples of socio-political issues that fall under the purview of the Executive Branch?
  • In what ways can executive policies address socio-political issues effectively?
  • What are the key challenges in designing and implementing executive policies?
  • How do different stakeholders (e.g., citizens, legislators, interest groups) influence executive policy design?
  • What ethical considerations must be taken into account when creating policies to address socio-political issues?
  • How can technology and data be used to enhance the effectiveness of executive policies?
  • What are the impacts of executive policies on various populations and communities?
  • How can feedback and evaluation improve the implementation of executive policies over time?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government and how it influences policy-making.
  • Analyze current socio-political issues and propose executive policies to address them effectively and ethically.
  • Evaluate the potential impact of proposed executive policies on various stakeholders and communities.
  • Conduct comprehensive research on socio-political issues, integrating data and technology where appropriate.
  • Develop argumentative writing skills through drafting policy proposals, supporting claims with substantive evidence.
  • Explore the ethical dimensions of policy-making, considering diverse perspectives and potential consequences.

C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards

C3.D2.Civ.13.9-12
Primary
Evaluate public policies in terms of intended and unintended outcomes, and related consequences.Reason: This standard emphasizes evaluating policies, a critical component of the project’s focus on creating effective and ethical policies.

Common Core Standards for English Language Arts

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.1
Primary
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.Reason: Students will need to write policy proposals or arguments supporting certain policies, aligning well with this standard.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.7
Secondary
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem.Reason: The project requires extensive research into current socio-political issues and creating policies to solve them, which aligns with this standard.

State Social Studies Standards

SS.12.6-8.1
Primary
Describe the roles and responsibilities of the executive branch, including its checks and balances system with the other branches of government.Reason: Understanding the executive branch's roles is essential to designing relevant policies for the project.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4
Secondary
Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.Reason: Students may design policies that involve technological solutions to socio-political issues, making this standard relevant.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Simulated Presidential Brief

Students receive a simulated urgent briefing as if they are part of the President’s advisory team. The briefing reveals an emerging socio-political crisis and challenges students to immediately consider policy-driven solutions, sparking curiosity and engagement from the get-go.

Policymaker Interview Series

Initiate the project with interactive interviews with local policymakers discussing existing policies and their impact, followed by open Q&A. Students use these insights to fuel their inquiry into better policy creation.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Understanding the Executive Branch

An introduction to the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Branch, setting the foundation for policy design.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review class materials and online resources about the Executive Branch.
2. Compile notes on its powers, roles, and interactions with other branches.
3. Create a mind map displaying the relationships and functions of the Executive Branch.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive mind map of the Executive Branch's roles and responsibilities.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSS.12.6-8.1 - Describing the roles and responsibilities of the executive branch.
Activity 2

Technological Enhancement Workshop

Explore ways to integrate technology into policy proposals to improve effectiveness.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review existing technologies related to the chosen policy issue.
2. Identify ways to incorporate these technologies into policy solutions.
3. Create a presentation on the technological enhancements for peer review.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityPresentation on technological enhancements for policy proposals.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsNGSS.HS-ESS3-4 - Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
Activity 3

Argumentative Writing Seminar

Develop skills to write compelling policy arguments supported by evidence.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Analyze examples of strong argumentative writing in policy contexts.
2. Draft an argument supporting your proposed policy using gathered research.
3. Receive peer feedback and refine the argument, focusing on clarity and evidence.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA polished argumentative piece in support of a proposed policy.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.1 - Writing arguments to support claims using valid reasoning and evidence.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Executive Policy Design Lab Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Executive Branch

Evaluates students' comprehension of the roles, responsibilities, and influences of the Executive Branch in U.S. government.
Criterion 1

Roles and Responsibilities

Measures understanding of the Executive Branch functions, its power dynamics, and inter-branch relations.

Exemplary
4 Points

Comprehensive understanding of the Executive Branch's roles, responsibilities, and its checks and balances. Clearly articulates how it interacts with other branches.

Proficient
3 Points

Thorough understanding of the Executive Branch's roles and responsibilities. Able to describe core functions and relationships with other branches.

Developing
2 Points

Basic understanding of the Executive Branch's roles with some mention of its interactions.

Beginning
1 Points

Limited understanding of roles without evidence of inter-branch connections.

Criterion 2

Mind Map Creation

Assesses the construction of a mind map detailing the Executive Branch and its relationships.

Exemplary
4 Points

Mind map is comprehensive, accurately detailed, and clearly represents relationships and functions within the Executive Branch.

Proficient
3 Points

Mind map is accurate and mostly detailed, showing key relationships and functions.

Developing
2 Points

Mind map includes basic information but lacks detail in relationships and functions.

Beginning
1 Points

Mind map is incomplete and lacks clarity in representing relationships.

Category 2

Technological Integration

Assesses students' ability to integrate technology into policy solutions.
Criterion 1

Innovative Use of Technology

Evaluates creativity and effectiveness in integrating technology into policy proposals.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents highly innovative and effective technology integration, significantly enhancing policy proposals.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents effective technology integration that enhances policy proposals.

Developing
2 Points

Technology integration is present but lacks innovation or effectiveness.

Beginning
1 Points

Limited or no technology integration.

Category 3

Argumentative Writing

Assesses skills in developing compelling arguments supported by evidence.
Criterion 1

Argument Construction

Evaluates clarity, coherence, and evidence in policy argument writing.

Exemplary
4 Points

Argument is clear, well-organized, and fully supported by robust evidence. Demonstrates critical engagement with policy issues.

Proficient
3 Points

Argument is clear, organized, and supported by evidence. Shows good engagement with policy issues.

Developing
2 Points

Argument is present but lacks clarity, organization, or sufficient evidence.

Beginning
1 Points

Arguments are unclear or lack coherent support and evidence.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of the Executive Branch has evolved during this project. What are the new insights you gained about its roles, responsibilities, and influences on policy-making?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident are you in your ability to propose effective and ethical executive policies now compared to before the project?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which socio-political issue addressed in your policy proposal do you believe is most urgently in need of policy intervention? What informed your perspective?

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Required
Question 4

How did considering diverse stakeholder perspectives influence your policy proposal?

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Required
Question 5

Select the greatest challenge you faced in this project. How did you overcome it?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Understanding the Executive Branch roles
Conducting comprehensive research
Drafting policy proposals
Considering ethical implications
Question 6

Describe how feedback from peers and instructors helped shape your final policy proposal.

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Optional
Question 7

In what ways did technology and data play a role in enhancing your policy proposal, according to your technological enhancement workshop experience?

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Optional