Now that you are familiar with monitoring and analyzing public policy, it's your turn. You will write a public policy analysis about a national,
state, or local issue that interests you. Remember, so far in this module you have learned how you, the citizen, can influence public
policy. When completing your assessment, it should be coming from your perspective, not the legislators'. Be sure to focus on a policy
that is part of current public discourse; if it already is in place, this means that policymakers are considering changes to the policy. To
complete your work, download and use the Public Policy Template.
1. Research a current national, state, or local public policy, either recently enacted or under consideration. This list provides
examples of popular national, state, and local public policy topics that may help you narrow your search:
⚫ gun control
.
animal rights
government mandates
.
pollution
⚫ public safety (ex: curfews)
. immigration
.
social media regulation
infrastructure
education (ex: school safety, state standards, testing)
Note: If you want to choose a different topic, please contact your instructor for approval.
2. Use the Policy Analysis Template to write a public policy analysis. Be sure to answer the following questions in your analysis:
• What is the policy intended to do? (Explain the purpose of the current or proposed public policy.)
• What are the policy's direct and external costs and benefits for different groups of people? (Explain who benefits and who
bears the costs of the current or proposed policy, and how. Include third-party costs and benefits.)
• What is your recommendation regarding the current or proposed policy? (Identify whether you support the policy, support it
with changes (be specific), or reject it.)
• What are the reasons for and the evidence to support your recommendation? (Explain your reasoning with specific,
verifiable facts and details.)