Public Policy Action Plan: Research, Analyze, and Advocate
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Public Policy Action Plan: Research, Analyze, and Advocate

Grade 8Social Studies4 days
In this 8th-grade social studies project, students research, analyze, and advocate for a public policy issue, developing an action plan to address or inform others about the issue. They explore the roles and interactions of different levels of government and analyze the potential consequences of their proposed solutions. The project culminates in a detailed action plan outlining specific steps, strategies, and resources needed to address the chosen public policy issue, encouraging students to become informed and engaged citizens.
Public PolicyAction PlanCivic EngagementGovernmentPolicy AnalysisAdvocacyCommunity Issues
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as informed citizens, influence public policy to address a pressing issue in our community, considering the roles and interactions of different levels of government and the potential consequences of our proposed solutions?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How do we decide what is best for the public good?
  • What processes do governments use to create policies?
  • How can individuals and groups influence public policy?
  • What are the intended and unintended consequences of public policy?
  • How do different levels of government (local, state, national) interact to address public policy issues?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to research and analyze a public policy issue.
  • Students will be able to develop and defend a position on a public policy issue.
  • Students will be able to create an action plan to address or inform others about the issue.
  • Students will be able to understand the roles and interactions of different levels of government.
  • Students will be able to analyze the potential consequences of proposed solutions.

Social Studies Standards

8.C4.4
Primary
Identify, research, analyze, discuss, and defend a position on a national, state, or local public policy issue including an action plan to address or inform others about the issue.Reason: Directly addresses the project's focus on researching and defending a position on a public policy issue.
8.C4.5
Primary
Analyze how a specific problem can manifest itself at the local, regional, and global levels, identifying its characteristics and causes, and the challenges and opportunities faced by those trying to address the problem; then apply a range of deliberative and democratic procedures to take action and solve the problemReason: Addresses analyzing problems at different levels and applying democratic procedures to solve them.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

"Policy Time Capsule"

Students examine a "time capsule" filled with artifacts representing past policy debates (e.g., newspaper clippings, campaign buttons, protest signs). They must analyze the items to infer the historical context, the different perspectives involved, and the outcomes of those policies, sparking curiosity about how policies shape society. This activity encourages students to consider how current issues might be viewed in the future and previews the research they'll conduct in the project.
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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

Action Plan Designer

Students create an action plan to address or inform others about the chosen public policy issue. They will outline specific steps, strategies, and resources needed to implement the plan.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Define the specific goals and objectives of your action plan, such as raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, or providing direct assistance to those affected by the issue.
2. Identify the target audience for your action plan, such as policymakers, community members, or the general public.
3. Develop specific strategies and activities to achieve your goals, such as organizing events, creating educational materials, or contacting elected officials.
4. Outline the resources needed to implement your action plan, such as funding, volunteers, or partnerships with other organizations.
5. Create a timeline for implementing your action plan and identify key milestones.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed action plan that outlines specific steps, strategies, and resources needed to address or inform others about the chosen public policy issue.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses 8.C4.4 by creating an action plan to address or inform others about the issue.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Public Policy Action Plan Rubric

Category 1

Goals and Objectives

Clarity and specificity of the action plan's goals and objectives in addressing the public policy issue.
Criterion 1

Goal Clarity

How well the action plan defines specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

Exemplary
4 Points

Goals are exceptionally clear, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), and directly address the core aspects of the public policy issue with innovative approaches.

Proficient
3 Points

Goals are clearly defined, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) and directly address the core aspects of the public policy issue.

Developing
2 Points

Goals are somewhat defined but lack specificity or clear measurability; relevance to the core issue is present but not fully developed.

Beginning
1 Points

Goals are vague, lack specificity, and are not measurable, achievable, relevant, or time-bound, showing little connection to the public policy issue.

Category 2

Strategies and Activities

Effectiveness and appropriateness of the strategies and activities proposed to achieve the action plan's goals.
Criterion 1

Strategy Effectiveness

How well the chosen strategies and activities align with the goals and target audience, demonstrating a clear path to achieving the desired outcomes.

Exemplary
4 Points

Strategies are highly innovative, exceptionally well-aligned with the goals and target audience, and demonstrate a profound understanding of the issue's complexities and potential impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Strategies are effective, well-aligned with the goals and target audience, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the issue and its potential impact.

Developing
2 Points

Strategies are somewhat aligned with the goals and target audience but may lack clarity or a direct path to achieving the desired outcomes; understanding of the issue is emerging.

Beginning
1 Points

Strategies are poorly aligned with the goals and target audience, lacking a clear path to achieving the desired outcomes; understanding of the issue is minimal.

Category 3

Resource Allocation

Feasibility and justification of the resources needed to implement the action plan.
Criterion 1

Resource Feasibility

How realistically the action plan identifies and allocates necessary resources (funding, volunteers, partnerships) for successful implementation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Resource allocation is exceptionally realistic, innovative, and thoroughly justified, demonstrating a deep understanding of the resources available and potential partnerships with other organizations.

Proficient
3 Points

Resource allocation is realistic and well-justified, demonstrating a clear understanding of the resources required for successful implementation.

Developing
2 Points

Resource allocation is somewhat realistic but lacks detailed justification or a clear understanding of resource availability.

Beginning
1 Points

Resource allocation is unrealistic and lacks justification, demonstrating a minimal understanding of resource requirements.

Category 4

Potential Impact

Evaluation of the action plan's potential to address the public policy issue and inform or influence others.
Criterion 1

Impact Evaluation

How effectively the action plan anticipates and addresses the potential consequences (intended and unintended) of the proposed solutions and assesses its overall impact.

Exemplary
4 Points

Action plan demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of potential consequences, both intended and unintended, and presents a highly innovative and impactful approach to address the public policy issue.

Proficient
3 Points

Action plan demonstrates a thorough understanding of potential consequences and presents an effective approach to address the public policy issue.

Developing
2 Points

Action plan acknowledges potential consequences but lacks a comprehensive understanding or clear strategy for addressing them; impact is plausible but not fully developed.

Beginning
1 Points

Action plan fails to consider potential consequences and lacks a clear strategy for addressing the public policy issue; impact is minimal.

Reflection Prompts

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

What was the most surprising thing you learned about public policy during this project?

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Required
Question 2

To what extent do you believe your action plan could create real change regarding your chosen public policy issue?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which level of government (local, state, national) do you think is most effective for addressing your chosen issue, and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Local
State
National
All levels are equally important
Question 4

How did your understanding of the roles and responsibilities of citizens in influencing public policy change as a result of this project?

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Question 5

What challenges did you encounter while developing your action plan, and how did you overcome them?

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Required