SOL 9 The student will apply social science skills to understand the process by which public policy is made by
a) defining public policy and determining how to differentiate public and private action;
Public policy relates to government action or inaction in regard to a specific public need.
Public policy is a purposeful course of action produced in response to a perceived problem, discussed and developed through a political process, and implemented by a public agency.
Private sector activity consists of actions taken by individuals, nonprofits, or corporations to fulfill a public need. Examples include utilities (e.g., electric, gas), food banks, American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity.
Privatization of government services occurs when there is an identified public need that the government is willing to outsource and that the private sector is capable of and willing to provide. Examples include prisons, waste collection, and roads.
a) defining public policy and determining how to differentiate public and private action;
Public policy relates to government action or inaction in regard to a specific public need.
Public policy is a purposeful course of action produced in response to a perceived problem, discussed and developed through a political process, and implemented by a public agency.
Private sector activity consists of actions taken by individuals, nonprofits, or corporations to fulfill a public need. Examples include utilities (e.g., electric, gas), food banks, American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity.
Privatization of government services occurs when there is an identified public need that the government is willing to outsource and that the private sector is capable of and willing to provide. Examples include prisons, waste collection, and roads.
b) examining different perspectives on the role of government;
Individual ideologies are shaped by a number of demographic factors.
Political opinions about the role of government shape public policy.
Differences of opinion about the role of government are due primarily to ideology.
An ideology is a set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government, and society. A person’s ideology provides a framework for looking at government and public policy. Ideology is shaped by demographic factors, including family, education, religion, socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, gender, and region.
Traditionally, mainstream American political perspective falls into three broad categories of opinion:
Individuals may not always be consistent in their opinions about public policy. For example, a person may hold conservative views about the economy and liberal views about society.
Individual ideologies are shaped by a number of demographic factors.
Political opinions about the role of government shape public policy.
Differences of opinion about the role of government are due primarily to ideology.
An ideology is a set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government, and society. A person’s ideology provides a framework for looking at government and public policy. Ideology is shaped by demographic factors, including family, education, religion, socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, gender, and region.
Traditionally, mainstream American political perspective falls into three broad categories of opinion:
- Conservative opinion generally believes that the role of government should be limited and that free enterprise and initiative should be promoted.
- Moderate opinion generally represents middle ground between conservative and liberal positions.
- Liberal opinion generally believes that the role of government should be active and that economic opportunity should be promoted.
Individuals may not always be consistent in their opinions about public policy. For example, a person may hold conservative views about the economy and liberal views about society.
c) describing how the national government influences the public agenda and shapes public policy by examining examples such as the Equal Rights Amendment, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 9524 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965;
The laws enacted by the national government generally reflect the public agenda that is shaped by individuals, elected officials, political leaders, interest groups, and the print and electronic media.
The laws enacted by the national government generally reflect the public agenda that is shaped by individuals, elected officials, political leaders, interest groups, and the print and electronic media.
Public policy is a purposeful course of action produced in response to a perceived problem, discussed and developed through a political process, and implemented by a public agency.
Participants in the policy process include elected officials, political leaders, interest groups, the media, and individual citizens.
These participants influence the public agenda and shape public policy by
The Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed amendment to the Constitution stating that equality of rights shall not be abridged by the government or any state based on gender.
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) formerly Public Law 94-142, entitles children and young adults with disabilities access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
Section 9524 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 states that local school divisions shall certify that there is no policy which prevents or denies participation in constitutionally protected prayer in public schools.
The laws enacted by the national government generally reflect the public agenda that is shaped by individuals, elected officials, political leaders, interest groups, and the print and electronic media.
The laws enacted by the national government generally reflect the public agenda that is shaped by individuals, elected officials, political leaders, interest groups, and the print and electronic media.
Public policy is a purposeful course of action produced in response to a perceived problem, discussed and developed through a political process, and implemented by a public agency.
Participants in the policy process include elected officials, political leaders, interest groups, the media, and individual citizens.
These participants influence the public agenda and shape public policy by
- attending political and governmental meetings
- lobbying
- working in campaigns
- contributing money to candidates and funding causes
- organizing public opinion, using social media
- filing legal challenges
- petitioning government
- demonstrating
- running for office.
The Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed amendment to the Constitution stating that equality of rights shall not be abridged by the government or any state based on gender.
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) formerly Public Law 94-142, entitles children and young adults with disabilities access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
Section 9524 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 states that local school divisions shall certify that there is no policy which prevents or denies participation in constitutionally protected prayer in public schools.
d) describing how the state and local governments influence the public agenda and shape public policy;
In Virginia’s state and local governments, the public agenda is shaped by elected officials, political leaders, interest groups, the media, and individual citizens.
The legislative acts of the state and local governments affect directly the everyday life of all Virginians.
State and local government officials and individual citizens can shape policy through
In Virginia’s state and local governments, the public agenda is shaped by elected officials, political leaders, interest groups, the media, and individual citizens.
The legislative acts of the state and local governments affect directly the everyday life of all Virginians.
State and local government officials and individual citizens can shape policy through
- direct participation in public meetings
- personal contact with elected officials
- service on boards and commissions
- advocacy within the community and across the state, individually or as a member of an interest group.
e) investigating and evaluating the process by which policy is implemented by the bureaucracy at each level;
Public policy is primarily implemented by bureaucracies at the national, state, and local levels.
Bureaucracy consists of government agencies responsible for the implementation, administration, and regulation of policy.
At all levels of government, employees of public agencies conduct the day-to-day operation of government and carry out public policy.
Bureaucracies shape the meaning of laws passed by legislatures through rule making and help to draft new bills for lawmakers. Some bureaucrats shape policy by providing information and advice to the executive branches of government.
Levels of bureaucracy
Public policy is primarily implemented by bureaucracies at the national, state, and local levels.
Bureaucracy consists of government agencies responsible for the implementation, administration, and regulation of policy.
At all levels of government, employees of public agencies conduct the day-to-day operation of government and carry out public policy.
Bureaucracies shape the meaning of laws passed by legislatures through rule making and help to draft new bills for lawmakers. Some bureaucrats shape policy by providing information and advice to the executive branches of government.
Levels of bureaucracy
- National
- Cabinet departments
- Office of the president
- Federal agencies
- Virginia
- Cabinet departments
- Office of the governor
- State agencies
- Local
- County/city agencies
- Regional authorities
f) analyzing how the incentives of individuals, interest groups, and the media influence public policy;
Individuals, interest groups, and the media influence public policy.
Ways individuals influence public policy
Ways interest groups influence public policy
Ways the media influence public opinion
Types of interest groups
Individuals, interest groups, and the media influence public policy.
Ways individuals influence public policy
- Participating in politics (e.g., voting, campaigning)
- Expressing opinions (e.g., lobbying, demonstrating, writing letters)
- Joining interest groups
Ways interest groups influence public policy
- Identifying issues
- Making political contributions
- Lobbying government officials
Ways the media influence public opinion
- Giving selective attention to issues
- Shaping attitudes and beliefs
- Providing information to policymakers
Types of interest groups
- Economic
- Public
- Government
- Religious
- Civil rights
- Ideological
- Single issue
g) devising a course of action to address local and/or state issues.
Students acquire the knowledge and skills required to influence public policy by studying how others addressed issues of interest in their community or the state.
Students need to demonstrate the knowledge and skills responsible citizenship requires, including the ability to
Students acquire the knowledge and skills required to influence public policy by studying how others addressed issues of interest in their community or the state.
Students need to demonstrate the knowledge and skills responsible citizenship requires, including the ability to
- formulate questions about state and/or local issues
- acquire and analyze information from a variety of print and electronic sources
- evaluate information
- act within a group in a positive manner to resolve conflict and build trust
- communicate a position effectively in writing, discussion, and debate
- implement a course of action
- evaluate the effectiveness of the action.