Influencing Public Policy

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Overview

In this lesson students will take a position on a current public policy issue and describe how to influence its formation, development, and implementation.

Grade Levels

9-12

Objectives

Students will:

• identify a current problem in the community; and
• devise a plan to influence the formation, development, and implementation of a current public policy issue.

Estimated Time

60 minutes

Materials Needed

1. E-Learning Module: Civic Participation
2. Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
3. Chalk and chalkboard or a marker and a whiteboard
4. Newspapers and news magazines
5. Pencil and paper

Procedure

Day 1

1. Have students view the biographies in “Individuals Who Made a Difference” in the Civic Participation module.
2. Distribute copies of the local newspaper to students. Ask them to read the newspaper and identify a problem in their community.
3. Have students write a summary of the problem. Ask volunteers to read their summaries.
4. Have students think about the people described in “Individuals Who Made a Difference” and discuss ways they can influence the formation, development, and implementation of the current public policy issue they have identified.Identify one problem that is a concern to the entire class. Write a list of concerns.
5. Identify one problem that is a concern to the entire class. Write a list of concerns.
6. Have students complete the “How to Contact a Legislator Effectively” section in the Civic Participation module. Discuss some of the effective ways of contacting a legislator.
7. Have the class devise a plan to influence the formation, development, and implementation of the current issue the class has identified. Students should consider what they learned while completing the “Individuals Who Made a Difference” and “How to Contact a Legislator Effectively” sections of the Civic Participation module. Carry out this plan.

Extension Activity

Ask students to write a short biography about someone who has influenced public policy. You may want to have students write about someone in the local community. Students can interview family and neighbors, or conduct research at the local library to identify the individual.

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask your students to respond to the following requests for information and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. Name at least three ways individuals can influence the formation, development, and implementation of policy issues.
2. Name one individual who has influenced public policy. Describe how he or she has influenced the formation, development, and implementation of the policy.

Scoring Guide for Influencing Public Policy

Elements	Possible Score	Assigned Score	Notes
Correct Spelling	10
Correct Grammar (sentence structure, punctuation)	10
Good beginning, middle, and end	10
Names three ways individuals can influence the development of policy	20
Identifies a current problem in the community and offers a way to solve it	25
Describes ways in which individuals can influence local policy decisions	25

 

Lesson Plan Feedback

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