Interest Group Strategic Plan: Policy Change Project
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as an interest group, strategically address a pressing domestic policy problem and effectively advocate for its solution?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we create a strategic plan to address a domestic policy problem?
- What are the key components of a successful interest group?
- How can an interest group influence policy-making?
- What are the different strategies and tactics that interest groups use to achieve their goals?
- How do we evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies?
- How can we effectively communicate our group's message to the public and policymakers?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the role and function of interest groups in influencing domestic policy.
- Develop a strategic plan for an interest group, including goal setting, resource allocation, and action planning.
- Identify and analyze a pressing domestic policy problem.
- Research and evaluate potential solutions to the identified policy problem.
- Learn effective communication strategies to advocate for the group's policy solution.
- Understand the policy-making process and how interest groups can influence it.
- Develop skills in collaboration, teamwork, and project management through group work.
- Enhance presentation skills by presenting the interest group's strategic plan and proposed policy solution.
- Apply knowledge of political science and civics to a real-world policy issue.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different interest group strategies and tactics.
- Understand ethical considerations in advocacy and policy influence.
- Learn how to engage with policymakers and the public to promote policy change.
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze complex policy issues.
- Improve research skills by gathering and synthesizing information from various sources.
- Strengthen writing skills by creating a strategic plan and persuasive advocacy materials.
- Cultivate civic engagement by taking action on a policy issue of interest.
- Learn about the constraints and opportunities that interest groups face in their advocacy efforts.
- Understand the importance of diverse perspectives and inclusivity in policymaking.
- Develop empathy and understanding for different stakeholders and viewpoints on policy issues.
- Enhance leadership skills by taking initiative in the interest group and guiding its activities.
AP U.S. Government and Politics
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsCommunity Crisis Challenge
Present students with a 'policy disaster' scenario impacting their local community. Working in teams, they must form an interest group to address the crisis, designing a strategic plan to influence local government. This event connects directly to students' lives, making the project's goals relevant and urgent.The Policy Showdown
Simulate a high-stakes congressional hearing on a controversial domestic policy issue. Students role-play as different interest groups, presenting arguments and engaging in debates. This event immediately throws students into the world of policy advocacy, sparking their curiosity about the power and influence of interest groups.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Solution Showdown: Evaluating Policy Options
Students will research and evaluate at least three potential solutions to the policy problem, analyzing their feasibility, effectiveness, and potential consequences.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparative analysis chart evaluating the pros, cons, feasibility, and potential impact of each proposed solution.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Research and evaluate potential solutions to the identified policy problem. Standard: AP U.S. Government and Politics Curriculum Framework.Strategic Blueprint: Crafting the Interest Group's Path
Students create a detailed strategic plan for their interest group, outlining goals, target audience, key messages, strategies, and a timeline for action.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive strategic plan document including an executive summary, goal statements, target audience analysis, key messages, action plan, and budget. (5-7 pages)Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Develop a strategic plan for an interest group, including goal setting, resource allocation, and action planning. Standard: AP U.S. Government and Politics Curriculum Framework.Policy Pitch: Presenting the Strategic Plan
Each interest group presents their strategic plan and proposed policy solution to a panel of judges (e.g., teachers, community members).Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA 10-15 minute presentation delivered by the interest group, including a Q&A session with the judges.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Enhance presentation skills by presenting the interest group's strategic plan and proposed policy solution. Standard: AP U.S. Government and Politics Curriculum Framework.Voice for Change: Amplifying the Message
Students will design a persuasive communication campaign to promote their policy solution, including a press release, social media content, and talking points.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA portfolio of communication materials including a press release, three social media posts (with visuals), and a one-page document of talking points.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Learn effective communication strategies to advocate for the group's policy solution. Standard: AP U.S. Government and Politics Curriculum Framework.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioInterest Group Strategic Plan Rubric
Interest Group Project Assessment
Assesses the quality of research, strategic planning, communication, and presentation skills, as well as teamwork.Research & Analysis
Depth of research into the policy problem and potential solutions, considering multiple perspectives and sources.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional research, synthesizing diverse sources and perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of the policy problem and potential solutions. Evidence of going above and beyond the minimum requirements.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough research, utilizing relevant sources and considering different perspectives to provide a clear understanding of the policy problem and potential solutions.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates basic research, with some understanding of the policy problem and potential solutions, but may lack depth or consideration of diverse perspectives. Relies heavily on easily accessible information.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates limited research, showing a superficial understanding of the policy problem and potential solutions. Insufficient use of sources and limited consideration of different perspectives.
Strategic Planning
Clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness of the strategic plan, including well-defined goals, target audience analysis, and action plan.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents an exceptionally clear, coherent, and persuasive strategic plan with innovative and well-justified goals, a sophisticated target audience analysis, and a highly effective action plan that considers potential challenges and counter-arguments.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a clear, coherent, and persuasive strategic plan with well-defined goals, a relevant target audience analysis, and a feasible action plan.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a strategic plan with some clarity and coherence, but may lack well-defined goals, a thorough target audience analysis, or a fully developed action plan. Some elements may be illogical or missing.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a poorly defined and incoherent strategic plan with unclear goals, a missing or inadequate target audience analysis, and a weak or non-existent action plan.
Communication Effectiveness
Effectiveness and creativity of the communication campaign materials (press release, social media posts, talking points) in conveying the interest group's message and engaging the target audience.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates highly effective and creative communication materials that powerfully convey the interest group's message and are tailored to resonate deeply with the target audience. Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of communication strategies and audience engagement, including effective use of visuals and branding.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates effective communication materials that clearly convey the interest group's message and are tailored to the target audience. Demonstrates good understanding of communication strategies and audience engagement.
Developing
2 PointsCreates communication materials that partially convey the interest group's message but may lack clarity, consistency, or relevance to the target audience. Demonstrates a basic understanding of communication strategies.
Beginning
1 PointsCreates ineffective communication materials that fail to convey the interest group's message or engage the target audience. Demonstrates limited understanding of communication strategies.
Presentation Skills
Quality and persuasiveness of the presentation, including clarity of message, engagement with the audience, and responses to questions.
Exemplary
4 PointsDelivers an exceptionally persuasive and engaging presentation with a clear and compelling message. Masterfully engages the audience and provides insightful and well-reasoned responses to questions. Demonstrates exceptional poise and confidence.
Proficient
3 PointsDelivers a persuasive and engaging presentation with a clear message. Effectively engages the audience and provides thoughtful responses to questions.
Developing
2 PointsDelivers a presentation with some clarity but may lack persuasiveness or audience engagement. Responses to questions may be incomplete or unclear.
Beginning
1 PointsDelivers a poorly organized and unpersuasive presentation. Fails to engage the audience and struggles to answer questions effectively.
Collaboration & Teamwork
Collaboration, teamwork, and contribution to the group's overall success. Evidenced by an individual reflection on their role in the group.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional leadership and collaboration skills, significantly contributing to the group's success. Actively facilitates group discussions, motivates team members, and ensures that all voices are heard. Provides a thoughtful and insightful reflection on their role and contributions to the group's success.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates effective collaboration and teamwork skills, contributing to the group's success. Participates actively in group discussions and supports team members. Provides a clear reflection on their role and contributions to the group's success.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates some collaboration and teamwork skills but may require guidance or support from other group members. Participates in group discussions but may not always contribute effectively. Provides a basic reflection on their role in the group.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates limited collaboration and teamwork skills, requiring significant support from other group members. Struggles to participate effectively in group discussions. Provides a minimal or incomplete reflection on their role in the group.