A Unique Approach to
Problem Solving Skills with the Public Policy Analyst
Tech Ed
2010 Conference
April 13, 2010 10:30—11:30 a.m.

A Unique Approach to
Problem Solving Skills with the Public Policy Analyst
Presenter:
James J. Carroll, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor
Syracuse University
Maxwell School

1.
Define the Problem
2.
Gather Evidence
3.
Identify Causes
4.
Evaluate Existing
Policies
5.
Develop Solutions
6.
Select Best Solutions

e
What Do These have in Common?
Teenage Obesity

e
What Do They have in Common?
They are all
Social Problems that your students can analyze and solve using the Public
Policy Analyst

The Public Policy Analyst (PPA):
A Problem-Based
Learning Tool
Developed by
Jim Carroll, Ph.D.
Syracuse University
Maxwell School of
Citizenship and Public
Affairs

(public policies: legislative),
(executive),
(judicial)





Which students do you mainly teach?
Graduate Students
Undergraduate Students
High School Students (9-12)
Elementary Students (K-8)

Have You Ever Used
Problem-Based
Learning?
Yes
No

•Overview of Problem-Based Learning
•Overview of The Public Policy
Analyst
•Using the PPA to Analyze a problem
•Examples of WebQuests Using the
PPA

“The principal idea behind PBL is that the starting point for learning should be a problem, a query, or a puzzle that the learner wishes to solve.”
Boud, D. (1985) PBL in Perspective. In “PBL in Education for the
Professions,” D. Boud (ed); p. 13

“ True learning is based on discovery guided by mentoring rather than the transmission of knowledge.”
John Dewey

What are the Common
Features of PBL?
•Learning is initiated by a problem
•Problems are based on complex, real-world situations
•All information to solve the problem is not initially given
•Students find and use appropriate resources
•Students work in groups
•Learning is active, integrated and engaged.

The PPA is a PBL tool used in…
Project TIPS (1999-2005): a $7M+
USDOE Technology Challenge Grant
(Bronx)
Project CRITICAL(2004-2010): a $3M
Gifted Education Grant in Harlem
Project CHARACTER: a $3M Character
Ed. grant in Harlem *2002—06) and a $3M grant in Yonkers(2008— present)

The PPA is a PBL tool used in…
Scaling-Up Project CRITICAL(2008-
Present): a $3M Gifted Education Grant in Harlem
Project HISTORY: a $1.8M USED Teaching
American History Grant for Central NY
Numerous NYSED Learning with Technology
Grants in NYS (2002—present)

Let’s use the PPA to analyze a problem in most colleges:

 Define the Problem
 Gather the Evidence
 Identify the Causes
 Evaluate Existing Policies
 Develop Policy Solutions
 Select the Best Solution

Colleges award too many “A’s”
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Uncertain
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree

PPA Step #1: Define the Problem
“A’s” today compared to years ago.
You feel that Your College has Grade
Inflation!

PPA Step #1: Define the Problem
Let’s share some definitions of the problem from our groups

PPA Step #2: Gather Evidence
What type of evidence can you gather to support your social problem that your college has grade inflation!
Go to Step #2

PPA Step #2: Gather Evidence
Let’s share some evidence of the problem from our groups

PPA Step #3: Identify Causes
What are the causes or factors that contribute to Grade
Inflation at Your College?
Go to Step #3

PPA Step #3: Identify Causes
Let’s share some causes or contributory factors of the problem from our groups

PPA Step #4: Evaluate Existing Policy
Princeton recently enacted a policy to confront its grade inflation problem.

PPA Step #4: Evaluate Existing Policy
Since Your College does not have an existing policy, let’s evaluate Princeton’s in this video clip www.udel.edu/inst/jan2005/facsenvideo.ram

PPA Step #4: Evaluate Existing Policy
Let’s share some evaluations of the existing policy from our groups

PPA Step #5: Develop Solutions
State 3 public policy solutions for Your College’s
Grade Inflation problem

#6: Select Best Solution
Select the best public policy solution for your college’s Grade
Inflation problem based on
feasibility and effectiveness
Taking away his car is a policy with high effectiveness
(for it solves the parking problem), but low feasibility for him

I
T
Y
I
L
I
B
F
E
A
S
EFFECTIVENESS
HIGH MEDIUM
HIGH
LOW
MEDIUM
LOW

Any Questions?
Jim Carroll, Ph.D.
Syracuse University jcarroll@syr.edu
http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/index.htm