Moorpark College Sociology Sociologically-Based Educational Policy Brief Paper

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Individual or Group Assignment 2B: FINAL Sociologically-Based Educational Policy Brief (PB) Presentation and Paper. A policy brief should inform readers of a particular issue or set of issues, provide an objective or advocacy stance, suggest possible policy options, and use research and persuasive language to convey ideas. Policy briefs can be conveyed under a variety of formats. In this assignment, a protocol will be used to facilitate a comprehensive presentation, intentionality, and an evidence-based analysis. In this assignment, two distinct features are as follows: the focus on an education-related topic and the incorporation of a sociological analysis and other theoretical approaches. Policy briefs are key professional and technical forms of communication to present problems that need to be addressed, to succinctly delineate and analyze an issue, to highlight relevant best practices and relevant research, and to make appropriate suggestions. Policy briefs have the potential to serve as key pieces of reference that furnish evidence-based policy overviews and suggestions to help policymakers make well-informed decisions. Policy briefs can also be organized for lay audiences.

Details for the presentation and paper are noted below. If you work in a group, review the requirements to become a group member in the syllabus under the assignments section. Students may also work independently and in pairs.

Note in the Class PB Google Doc your presentation’s title, online shareable link, and all group members’ names and email addresses. Here’s the Class Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cHwV-6immE7tsMEq6WUbrXUFyhrsMxhM/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116284438476879769231&rtpof=true&sd=trueLinks to an external site.

Here are some Examples of completed PBs by UCLA Undergraduates: https://ucla.box.com/s/38n372q7875y58kzp58ncy9r06l8dqekLinks to an external site. (also refer to the references below).

Here are some Examples of Professionally Organized Real-World PBs:

Policy Briefs, Research Studies, Technical Reports, Program Overviews, Advocacy, Historical/Political/Sociological/Legal/Economic Insights

Requirements for the PB Presentation: Your slides should include: (1) Policy Brief Title; (2) Policy-Related Topic(s) & Guiding Question(s); (3) Policy Stakeholders; (4) Statement of the Problem; (5) Sociological Phenomenon or Phenomena; (6) Current Policy Approach & Policy Alternative; (7) Policy Alternative Implementation & Implications; (8) Conclusion & Limitations; (9) Author(s) & Contact Information; (10) References & Appendices; (11) Layout and Organization of the Policy Brief (description or actual image). Note: Your final presentation can be a live PPT; however, we prefer a pre-recorded video or voice-over slideshow. Consider including the presenter’s name and photo under each slide they present on or at the beginning or end (names should be listed; photos are optional). Your presentation will be shown under a pre-determined time during the in-class symposium. Refer to the detailed descriptions and examples pertaining to this assignment.

Requirements for the PB Paper: 7 – 14+ pp., single or double-spaced, 10-12 size font. It’s okay if you go over pages. Cite your references using a standard format, such as APA, ASA, or MLA. This paper should follow the stipulated format below (the seven sections noted). Write with complete sentences, paragraphs, and use headings to identify your sections.

RECAP: THERE ARE THREE PARTS TO THIS ASSIGNMENT: (1) PRESENTATION SLIDES UPLOADED TO THE COURSE ASSIGNMENT PORTAL (WITH ALL REQUIRED SECTIONS; NO AUDIO & NO VIDEO; ONLY 1 DAY EXTENSION WILL BE GRANTED TO SUBMIT); (2) WRITTEN PAPER UPLOADED TO THE ASSIGNMENT PORTAL (WITH ALL REQUIRED SECTIONS; EXTENSION OF 2-3 DAYS MAY BE GRANTED); & (3) POST ON THE COURSE GOOGLE DOCLinks to an external site. THE ONLINE SHAREABLE LINK TO THE PRESENTATION (IF APPLICABLE, PRE-RECORDED OR WITH AUDIO/VIDEO), FINAL PB TITLE, AND GROUP MEMBERS’ NAMES AND EMAILS.

Some Additional Context for Policy Brief Presentations & Papers

Identify one or two interconnected education-related policy brief topics and incorporate a sociological lens in the analysis.

· The topic(s) should be relevant to a problem or controversy in education that is part of public policy discourse or that you feel should be part of such discourse. While keeping the practical educational and policy implications front and center, utilize a sociological lens in researching the topic and writing about it. The lens can be a theory or concept. Explicitly and briefly state the sociological phenomenon (or phenomena) in your analysis.

In critically thinking through a policy-related problem and going through the research and writing steps, keep in mind the following general questions framed under the Five W’s.

· Who are the stakeholders: the decision-maker(s) initiating the policy and entity(ies) being impacted? What are the most salient issues and should be implemented to address them? When did all this initially begin and start becoming worse? Where are the lessons learned and opportunities? Why should we care and do something?

Policy briefs can be classified under two main types: advocacy and objective. Policy briefs often include guiding questions and identify stakeholders.

· Advocacy briefs argue for a particular course of action and objective briefs provide balanced (or impartial) information on alternative policy options. Accordingly, after selecting a topic and researching the relevant literature, identify the type of policy brief to develop (advocacy or objective). Focused on the topic and overall approach, come up with policy-related questions to help the guide the analysis (one to three questions). Important to mention, a policy is initiated by a decision-maker and impacts an entity; therefore, when engaging in policy-related work one must identify the stakeholders: the decision-maker (the initiator) and the entity (individuals, groups, organizations).

Policy briefs are flexible in regards to overall organization.

· As it relates to the layout of policy briefs, a standard report under a Word Document or PDF is customary, as well as using color, graphics, and the following printed formats: flyers, pamphlets, and brochures. The length of the policy brief depends on the information included and layout (two to eight pages maximum).

Identify a policy brief title that effectively communicates its contents, list the author(s), and use headings to identify key sections.

· The policy brief title should be focused, descriptive, and catchy. Note the title at the top of the first page. The length of the title should be no longer than one to two sentences. It can also be one or two words. The author(s) of the policy brief should be noted by first and last name. The author(s) should be listed under the title or somewhere else in the top of the brief’s first page. An academic degree abbreviation can be noted after the author’s name. Use headings and sub-headings to clearly identify the key areas of your paper (the seven italicized sections noted below and other areas deemed essential to highlight).

If applicable, the organization(s) sponsoring a policy brief should be listed. A policy brief publication date is always listed.

· Policy briefs are sometimes written on behalf of organizations. Also, individuals who organize briefs sometimes include their organization regardless of its position on the issue addressed. An organization’s name, logo, mission statement, and contact information (website, email, telephone, etc.) are often included in briefs. Policy briefs do not require organizational sponsorship or affiliation. Once the policy brief is completed and ready for dissemination, a publication date is noted before or after the title. The format is as follows: month, day, and year or month and year (spell out the month and list the year using four digits).

Required Sections of Policy Briefs

Section I of the Policy Brief: Executive Summary. (½ to 1 page)

· This introductory section of the policy brief includes a concise overview of the problem and its urgency, the policy in place, stakeholders involved, practical solutions or research findings (or both) to address the area of concern, and an alternative policy and its potentially favorable implications. Note the policy-related question(s) guiding the analysis, as well as the sociological phenomenon that is at play.

Section II of the Policy Brief: Statement of the Problem. (1 to 2 pages)

· This policy brief section elaborates on the problem, its scope, stakeholders involved, and seeks to analytically and strategically present the most compelling information including facts. The aim is to raise awareness of the problem, encourage appropriate action, and to provide the most essential information to guide the possible reconsideration of the existing policy and the exploration of a new policy alternative. Note the policy-related question(s) guiding the analysis. Highlight the sociological elements of the problem.

Section III of the Policy Brief: Current Policy Approach & Alternative Policy. (1 to 2 pages)

· Striking a balance between factual objectivity and persuasiveness, this policy brief section presents the existing policy that could potentially be reconsidered simply because something new is desired or due to its ineffectiveness or adverse consequential practices and outcomes. The alternative policy is also presented and supported with evidence (best practices or research or both), and a list of actionable implementation steps are briefly introduced.

Section IV of the Policy Brief: Alternative Policy Implementation & Implications. (1 to 2 pages)

· Using a straightforward and methodical approach, this policy brief section unpacks the actionable steps and outlines the ins and outs to address the problem with the potential policy alternative, carefully delineating the sequence of actions, short- and long-term phases, specific processes and individuals involved, and measurements and evaluations. The anticipated effectiveness and favorable outcomes of the potential alternative are highlighted.

Section V of the Policy Brief: Conclusions & Limitations. (½ to 1 page)

· While adhering to the overall policy brief stance (advocacy or objective), this section concludes the write-up by summarizing the most important elements pertaining to the problem, policy in place, and potential policy alternative. Limitations of the policy brief should be addressed related to its scope in covering the issue at hand, angle taken, possible oversights, etc. Wrap-up by reiterating the policy brief’s guiding question(s), stakeholders involved, main takeaways, the sociological aspects, and by making reference to the brief’s authors, references, and appendices for additional information.

Section VI of the Policy Brief: Author(s) & Contact Information.

· Reviewers of the policy brief should have the opportunity to contact the author(s) for questions and further clarification. The author(s) of the policy brief should be listed by first and last name, academic degrees, professional title, organization affiliation, and contact information (telephone, email, website if applicable, & mailing address). A headshot of the author(s) can also be included (optional).

Section VII of the Policy Brief: References & Appendices.

· References used to organize the policy brief should be listed and cited accordingly (at least four sources, with two research-based/empirically-based). Appendices in policy briefs can be separate documents labeled Appendix I, II, etc. (use a formal citation format). Or, they can include multiple sources with detailed notes and online links where references cited can be accessed and reviewed. In policy briefs, given their conciseness, it is customary and critically important to provide reviewers full access to all the references used (this is among the main purposes of appendices).

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For additional guidance on policy brief research, writing, and potential topics, refer to the following:

-course policy brief template:

https://ucla.box.com/s/0agcxpjqq9ufl7155wsnrfaiqwur0igbLinks to an external site.

-examples from UCLA undergraduates who completed policy briefs in previous classes:

https://ucla.box.com/s/38n372q7875y58kzp58ncy9r06l8dqekLinks to an external site.

-examples for a policy brief PowerPoint or Google Slideshow presentation:

Basic template for Policy Brief PowerPoint/Google Slideshow presentation.pptx

https://slidesgo.com/Links to an external site.

-examples on how to develop a pre-recording voice-over or video:

Options to develop symposium pre-recordings-slideshow voice overs-narrations.pdf

-course policy brief template: