Call to Order Grab the Graphic Organizer ½ Sheet from your teacher. 1.Examine the picture and explain how it could relate to GOVERNMENT actions in the LEFT column. 2.Leave the RIGHT column blank.

Today’s Objective Students will be able to examine the basis of public policy issues in America by  Analyzing images in an anticipation guide  Completing Cornell Notes  Categorizing scenarios  Proposing and evaluating solutions to public policy issues  Completing an HSA exit ticket

What is Public Policy? Programs developed by the government in order to improve the lives of people in the United States. Identify a public problem. If enough people are concerned, they take action. Public problems often have more than one solution Each solution has advantages and disadvantages The gov’t, community, and individuals have to work together

Public Policies are complex problems, and each possible solution will have advantages and disadvantages.

Urban Renewal Policy The gov’t encourages people to buy rundown housing and rebuild in order to improve an area.  Bring population back to the city  Increases taxes gained from properties (so the city can provide more services!)  Establish affordable public housing.

Environmental Policy Individuals and businesses have to follow laws that the government passes to protect the environment.  Regulating pollution from cars  Protecting natural land  Looks for alternative energy sources

Education Policy The government funds schools and monitors how they perform. Tests / required courses are used to gauge student achievement.  State Curriculum determines what is taught  MSA/HSA Exams  School performance is tracked I’ve got a big fat check for the states with the best scores! I’ve got’n ider! I don’t buy it.

Transportation Policy Focuses on the cleanest, safest, and fastest ways for people to travel within the U.S.  Interstate Highway System  Carpool lanes  High Speed Railways  Subways  Buses

Health & Welfare Policy The gov’t tries to protect the health and welfare of its citizens  Medicaid helps covered medical expenses for people with low incomes  Food Stamps help people with low-incomes buy food  Social Security provides financial assistance to retired persons

GO BACK! Reexamine the Call to Order ½ Sheet! Examine the picture and explain which public policy issue it relates to in the column on the RIGHT Health & Welfare Transportation environmental Urban renewal education

What is Public Policy? Programs developed by the government in order to improve the lives of people in the United States. Identify a public problem If enough people are concerned, they take action. Public problems often have more than one solution Each solution has advantages and disadvantages The gov’t, community, and individuals have to work together

And Now… Examine the Scenarios Each scenario addresses a specific public policy problem.  Determine which category the scenario fits into  Develop a policy for the government to follow that can correct this problem  Evaluate your policy’s strengths and weaknesses in the space provided.

# ScenarioPolicy IssueProposed SolutionBenefits and Disadvantages? 1 Unexcused absences from school are a huge problem in Baltimore City. What is something that the city government can do to fix this issue?  Urban Renewal  Environmental  Education  Transportation  Health & Welfare Benefit Disadvantage 2 Nearly 40,000 people commute into Baltimore City from the northern suburbs of Towson, Perry Hall, and White Marsh. What is something that the city can do to reduce the number of vehicles on the road?  Urban Renewal  Environmental  Education  Transportation  Health & Welfare Benefit Disadvantage 3 Americans with low incomes usually have to go to the emergency room when they get sick because they cannot afford a regular checkup. How can we provide better care for these families?  Urban Renewal  Environmental  Education  Transportation  Health & Welfare Benefit Disadvantage

# ScenarioPolicy IssueProposed SolutionBenefits and Disadvantages? 4 The standards for gaining a high school degree are different from state to state. This means that a student in Maryland doesn’t get the same education as a student in New York… or Alaska. How can we ensure an equal education for all students?  Urban Renewal  Environmental  Education  Transportation  Health & Welfare Benefit Disadvantage 5 Across from AFSIVA, on Gilmor St., are four abandoned homes in a row. When these buildings are left vacant, they can lower the value of neighboring properties. How can the city of Baltimore combat this blight?  Urban Renewal  Environmental  Education  Transportation  Health & Welfare Benefit Disadvantage 6 Americans get more than 25% of their energy from burning coal, which releases a great deal of pollution. What could be an alternative to this?  Urban Renewal  Environmental  Education  Transportation  Health & Welfare Benefit Disadvantage