PAC Seminar – Class 2

Today’s plan Check in on current progress as a group (20 min) Discuss policy analysis model (15 min) Review PAE “Pre-Kindergarten at Uncommon Schools” (25 min) Work on topic descriptions (30 min) Break for individualized time (remaining time)

What you’re doing now

Topic selection: September 25 (or sooner)Identify your client:

Who is responsible for you? How much of their time you will get?

Define the problem as clearly and quickly as possible.Search for a faculty advisor with appropriate skills.Come to my office hours before 9/25 (please).And fill out info through link I sent earlier.

How are things going?

Pause. Deep breath. How are things going? Are you happier, sadder or the same as you were last week?

Let’s take 10 minutes for questions you have that you think others might also want answered.

Policy analysis model

5. Project the outcomes

2. Gather some evidence

3. Construct the alternatives 4. Select the criteria

6. Confront the trade-offs

7. Decide!

1. Define the problem

8. Tell your story

Bardach framework from API-505

Policy analysis model

5. Project the outcomes

2. Gather some evidence

3. Construct the alternatives 4. Select the criteria

6. Confront the trade-offs

7. Decide!

1. Define the problem

8. Tell your story

Bardach framework from API-505

Defining the problem

Get this right and the rest will be much easier.Key question: What is the problem requiring a policy response?Brainstorm problem elements (and sub-problems).Define the problem

• Write a single, concise problem definition. • Be as specific as possible.• Don't confuse problem elements with actual decision problem.• Do not define the solution into the problem. • Make focus and scope comprehensive and manageable. • Don't be overwhelmed with goals beyond what’s possible in this context.• Don’t be afraid to reexamine problem definition as PAE progresses.

What makes a good PAE?

Let’s discuss Angie McPhaul and Paulene Meyer’s PAE:

“Pre-Kindergarten at Uncommon Schools”

Spend 10 minutes in small groups discussing:Who’s the client and what’s the problem?What research methods do they use to gather evidence?What recommendations do they make?What impressed you about this PAE?What could have been better?

Your topic descriptions

I asked you to prepare a topic description:Sentence one describes your client. Sentence two is your problem statement.

Take 8 minutes to share with your neighbor for feedback.Is it clear? Precise? Free of jargon? Narrow enough to be feasible? Broad enough to need MPP

skills?

I’ll then cold call to do some public office hours-like feedback.

What to do next

We do not meet during the next two weeks.Schedule office hours prior to 9/25.Fill out online form prior to those office hours.Refine your topic/client/problem definition.Submit your topic selection form by 9/25.

• Name, program (MPP), concentration (SUP)

• Client, partners, potential advisor

• Topic description, potential research methods

For class on 10/1, I’ll ask you do more reading/viewing, but more in an e-mail later.