Policy Brief and Infographic

Students will submit an individual policy analysis paper (10 pages minimum; 15 pages maximum, double-spaced, APA formatting) on a public sector issue of their choice, which may be aligned with the topic of the Policy Brief and Infographic.I.           EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (1 page):  Summarize the content of the entire brief on one page.  The summary should: 1)      State the problem or issue; 2)      Give a BRIEF background; 3)      Identify major alternatives; 4)      State preferred alternative with justification; II.         INTRODUCTION and PROBLEM STATEMENT (1-2 pages)  Identify with clarity and specificity the problem being addressed, with a summary of the policy issues at stake and the primary options.  (Why is the problem important?) III.           ASSEMBLE EVIDENCE (2-3 pages) Provide specific background for the question at hand.  Identify the goals and objectives that the policy options are supposed to achieve;  the dimensions and parameters of the problem; and the state of the problem. IV.            POLICY ALTERNATIVES (3-5 pages) Discuss the alternative policy responses under consideration (at least 3). Examine the “best practices” of other agencies, as well as policy proposals that are emerging.  The discussion of each option should be balanced and should reflect the evidence/ data indicating the degree of potential utility.  Under what conditions are options likely to be most useful.  V.            LIST SPECIFIC CRITERIA USED IN MAKING EVALUATION (1-2 pages) State the criteria that you will use to score the alternatives explicitly.  Specific criteria depend on the context of the problem, but typically include such issues as mitigating measurable indicators associated with the problem, cost-efficiency, and equity? VI.           APPLY CRITERIA and PROJECT OUTCOMES (2-3 pages) Apply the Criteria to each of the policy alternatives using the most appropriate methodology.  This should be done transparently, with all data and results listed explicitly.  If possible, score the alternatives.  Summarize comparative assessment using a matrix or similar summary display. VII.       RECOMMENDATION & CONCLUSION (1-2 pages) Close the Policy Analysis with a recommendation that summarizes the preferred policy option.  Justify why this option is preferred over the others. If the policy options are weighted and scored, identify the criteria used to score the options, and their order of priority.