This document provides instructions for several policy analysis assignments. Students are asked to analyze trends in congressional agenda over time for a selected policy topic using comparative data tools. They must pull data from two time periods and write a 5-page paper analyzing the charts, history of the policy, driving forces, and relevant policy theories. Subsequent assignments include analyzing an enacted state policy and constructing a 5-page issue brief proposing a solution to a local or state problem. The final assignment requires researching a different policy issue and creating an entertaining 10-slide PowerPoint briefing with conclusions and recommendations.

1. Current Event Analysis (5 pages) public admiration and public
policy
Note: Check all the work in turnitin .com before delivery all
work please.
Note: Not health care policy (you did it before)
Assignment Instructions
Through this assignment, we will explore trends concerning an
individually selected area of policy and provide context on the
public policy theory/theories at play. You will answer the
following question: How has congressional agenda changed
over time in regards to your selected policy topic?
To start, visit Comparative Agendas Project . Once on the
webpage, click on Trend Tools(on the top right). Then, click
select dataset types and policy topics on the upper left side.
Then, Click on Budgets on the upper left side. Next, select
United States. Then, select the specific aspect of the US budget
you want to analyze. Then, in the bottom right, select Line for
Chart Type.
Next, for Dates, select Year. Once you create two charts, or at
least have the data points for two periods, then use export to
integrate them into your paper. Then, analyze the two charts (ie,
compare and contrast) in your paper.
For the purposes of this project, you'll need to pull data from at
least two different time periods to show any shifts in
trends/attention.
Next analyze your findings through a 5 page paper (excluding
cover page and references). You'll want to cover the following
questions:
· What is the history of this policy?
· What does the data say about the congressional focus of this
issue?
· How and why are the charts different?
· What driving forces/actors would have had an impact on the

2. congressional attention on this issue?
· Were there other events taking place that would explain a low
in congressional attention on this issue?
· What theory/theories from our text could explain the history
or trends of the issue? What contexts are applicable here?
Please include your charts in your essay. Note that the labels
on the charts may be inaccurate, so focus on trends. Be sure to
draw from our course readings and to utilize at least 3 scholarly
sources. A list of good online journals is available in our online
library. Here is a sample paper with proper APA formatting and
citations from Purdue OWL.
Policy Analysis (5 pages)
NONE: NOT TOBACCO CONTROL POLICY, You did it before
Assignment Instructions
Based on the framework laid out in your lesson, you are to
critically analyze an enacted state policy. This should be
something you have seen show up in the news, an issue you are
interested in, or a policy that could have direct impact on your
life. It can be anything so long as it has been voted on by your
state's legislative branch, has been approved by the executive
office, and has been signed into law. To make your work a
little easier, you'll likely want to choose something that has had
media/public attention and is a broad enough issue that you can
find scholarly sources to provide background information.
Some examples of state issues include: fracking, legalization of
medical marijuana, mental health services, state budget and
spending, etc.
In this 5 page analysis you should:
· Establish the history of the issue
· Identify the major policy concepts/contexts
· Identify the stakeholders
· Review the development and implementation of the policy
(what was the policymaking process?)
· Evaluate the effectiveness of the policy and its ability to meet
stated goals (if possible)
· Provide an analysis with recommendations for improving or

3. modifying the policy (be sure to include your recommendations
for adjustments, expansion or alternatives)
· Situate your analysis in the contemporary policy literature.
Make sure you draw from the lesson and relevant PA journals.
A list of good online journals is available in our online library.
You should incorporate at least 4 scholarly journal sources.
Remember that the content must be 5-7 pages (excluding title
page and references) . *Your essay will be automatically
uploaded to Turnitin.com and an originality report will be
generated for you. No action is needed on your part. Please
contact your instructor if you have questions about this process
or your report.
Issue Brief (5 pages) next week is due
(Note: Not use PRISON OVERCROWDING, you did it before)
Assignment Instructions
Through this assignment, we will combine your learning from
the Current Event Analysis and Policy Case Study. I want you
to identify a different problem or issue (local or state) that
needs political attention through policy action. Once you've
identified the issue, you will be constructing an issue brief on
the proposed policy action. Your 5 page issue brief should be
constructed using the attached template and should cover the
following sections:
· Brief history of the issue
· General accounting of the current problem (stated in a couple
of sentences)
· The options available for addressing the problem
· Whether there are current applicable policies that need to be
expanded, adjusted or eliminated
· What actors are currently involved with the issue and where
support currently exists
· What your recommendations are and how you would propose

4. moving the policy forward (i.e., what support needs to be built,
what channels does it need to go through, what of the options
listed above are most feasible, etc)
Do not complete the template attached below with bullets or
broad lists. This should be a detailed analysis of each element
discussed above. Write this issue brief as if you were handing
it to the state governor, the head of an agency, etc. They should
understand your policy, recommendations and the policymaking
process of this issue through review of your issue brief. It
shouldn't need elaboration from you.
Final Project (10 slides power points)
NOTE: NOT USE LEGALIZING SAME SEX MARRIAGES,
YOU DID IT BEFORE)
Note: 1.include efficiency, effectiveness, economic criteria, and
ethics.
2. Use several credible source
3.use A few books, some written by advocates and a news
source.
4. use graphics.
Assignment Instructions
Identify another, different policy issue that impacts or interests
you. This policy issue can be at the local or state level, but that
you have not already submitted. Research the policy context,
implementation, effectiveness, and evaluate it using the criteria
laid out in your lesson (and practiced in the writing
assignments). Analyze the policy, then draw conclusions and
make recommendations about the policy’s future and
effectiveness. Present your findings uploading an entertaining
PowerPoint briefing (minimum 10 slides with images on each

5. slide).
Instead of writing a paper and putting the paragraphs on each
slide, use bullet points for the major points and include ONE of
the following:
· detailed speaker's notes
· a transcript of what you would say if you gave the
presentation
· audio of you giving the presentation.
Remember that this is a major research component of your
course and worth 20% of your final grade.Your bibliography of
sources (a minimum of 7) should be the final slide(s) of the
presentation.