Teaching Methods
for Introducing Public Policy Research
Current Issue Project
for State and Local Government Survey Courses
Excellence in Teaching Conference – April 5, 2013
Tarleton State University
Introduction
•
Project teaches students a basic
methodology for policy research
• Based on analyses published by CRS or
Texas HRO
•
Guides them in accessing sources and
discerning type and quality of sources
Scope of Project
•
Choosing a Topic
•
Article Research
• Media
• History/Background
• Government Documents
• Qualified Opinion
• Political Parties
• Research
•
Report
Media Article
• February 6, 2013 –
Austin American
Statesman
• “House education
leaders call for sharp
reduction in STAAR
tests.”
House Public Education
Committee Chairman
Jimmie Don Aycock, RKilleen, will lead the
battle over testing.
History/Background
• How the state has
used standardized
testing
• “A Historical Overview
of Assessment in
Texas”
Government Document
• Legislation, Court
Decision or Agency
Report
• HB5 – “Relating to
public school
accountability,
including assessment,
and curriculum
requirements.”
Qualified Opinion
• “Qualified” –
Individuals or Interest
Groups
• “STAAR impedes
educating FutureReady Students”
• “For the good of
students,
compromise on
STAAR exam”
Political Parties
• “replace the highstakes tests, used
to punish students
and schools, with
multiple measures
that restore the
original intent of the
state assessment
system…
Political Parties
• We favor improving the
quality of education for all
students, including those
with special needs. We
support a return to the
traditional basics of
reading, writing,
arithmetic, and citizenship
with sufficient discipline to
ensure learning and
quality educational
assessment.
Research
• The Relationship
Between Standardized
Test Scores of
Socioeconomically
Disadvantaged Students
in Title I and Non-Title I
Schools
• by Heier, Sharon L.,
Ed.D., Walden University,
2011, 101 pages
Current Issue Report
•
4-5 pages
• Introductory paragraph followed by background,
government action, and qualified opinion
• Students are encouraged to offer opinion on issue
• Report submitted to Turnitin.com and graded with Rubric
for content, format, composition, use of articles, and
citations
Objectives
•
•
•
Research a topic of interest
Learn a basic methodology for policy research
Understand the importance of engaging with policy
issues in relation to citizenship
• Recognize the role of government in relation to major
and vocational goals
• Know essential sources for policy research using digial
resources
• Conduct basic policy research in upper level courses