GOVT 462 Policy Paper 1
Center of Budget and Policy Priorities: “Most States Have Cut School Funding, and Some Continue Cutting.”
Leachman, Michael, Nick Albares, KathleenMasterson, and Marlana Wallace. “Most States Have Cut School Funding, and Some Continue Cutting.” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. January 25, 2016. Accessed July 15, 2016.http://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/most-states-have-cut-school-funding-and-some-continue-cutting.
As part of your course, you are required to review and critique 2 public policy papers written on budgetary topics. You will be provided with a series of options to consider. The title of each policy paper that you critique must be submitted in advance and is worth 10 points. Each completed critique must be between 5 and 7 pages in length and is worth 90 points.
You are to structure your paper in the following manner:
- Title Page
- Abstract:
- Briefly explain the research you’re doing, your methodology, and findings.
- Introduction:
- What policy paper are you evaluating and criticizing? Who wrote it? Why is it important to critique this paper? What is the thesis or main argument of the paper? What are you attempting to achieve or communicate?
- Summarize the Paper:
- Present a concise summary of the paper you’re critiquing, which also highlights what you’re attempting to argue.
- Identify what the author is arguing, and what evidence he supplies. In other words, how does he support his argument? Is he underutilizing data?
- Argument You’re Presenting — Criticism and Judgment:
- Did the author convince you? Did he accomplish his purpose? Is the material well organized? Does he leave out or dismiss relevant data?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the paper?
- Discuss the worth, validity, and utility of the paper you’re critiquing
- Conclusion:
- Summarize the argument in the policy paper you’re critiquing and then your critique – how have you proven your argument?
- References