Public Administration Policy Paper Instructions and Rubric
Assignment Overview
Each of you will turn in a 5 to 7 page (excluding cover and bibliography) paper that examines a
current federal, state or local policy. You will discuss the implementation of the policy from within
each of the four public administration lenses we will talk about this semester - political, legal,
managerial, and occupational. You will explain how you would implement this policy within two
agencies of government. You need to apply concepts and theories from within each of these four
frames that we discuss throughout the semester. Your paper must have a cover page and a reference
page, and it must follow APA formatting. You must have a minimum of five sources (which can
include your textbook), and two of your five references must be from professional journals or books
(e.g., Public Administration Review).
Due Dates
There are two due dates associated with this paper – The paper outline due date and the final paper
due date.
Paper Outline
To prepare for this paper, you will submit a paper outline by April 1st at 11:55 p.m. via iLearn. The
outline of this proposal will include the following:
1. The policy issue you have chosen.
2. Which government agencies/levels you will use to discuss the implementation of this policy.
3. A brief summary of how you plan on discussing this policy implementation through the four
lenses.
Grading
The total point value for this paper is 20 points. This includes 5 points for the paper outline and 15
points for the final paper. The following criteria will be used to evaluate your score for this
assignment:
Criteria
Potential Point Value
Cover page that includes:
 Name
 Title
 Date
 Professor’s Name
 Course Name
Introduction
 The paper clearly introduces the policy
 The paper clearly introduces the two government agencies you will
use to explain the implementation of this policy
Literature Review
 The policy is addressed through all four frames:
o Political
o Legal
o Managerial
o Occupational
 The paper compares and contrasts the implementation of the policy
through both agencies
1 Point
3 Points
6 Points

At least one theory/concept from each frame was used to analyze the
implementation of the policy
Conclusion
 There is a clear summary of the paper
 There is a reflection on what was learned as a result of writing the
paper
Grammar and Spelling
 Although points will not be given for this, up to 5 points may be
deducted for poor grammar and stylistic errors
Paper Mechanics: Length, APA style, citation and references
 Does the paper follow APA guidelines?
 Does the paper have at least 5 references (this can include he
textbook and 2 of which are from either a professional journal or
book)?
 Are references properly cited?
 Is the paper 5 to 7 pages in length, not including the cover page or
reference page(s)?
3 Points
Paper Outline (submitted separately)
 The policy issue is presented clearly
 Identifies which government agencies/levels will be used to discuss
the implementation of the public policy through the four lenses.
Total
5 Points
0 Points
2 Points
20 Points