Write a Comparative Policy Paper on Education Policy Reform in Florida versus Utah.

Comparative Policy Paper: Comparative Study of Localities (75 pts)—Due Last Class

Learning Objectives for Comparative Policy Paper: Throughout this course, you will apply the concepts learned from the course materials, online lectures, and your critical reflections to conduct a comparative study of two states/cities/counties for a single policy issue within a framework of multi-level governance (federalism). Your single policy issue is of your choosing and will be approved by your instructor.
The goals are simple—to explain policy outcomes for subnational governments, evaluate the politics behind the policy issue, and critically think about the impact of the policy issue for citizens and residents alike.

 You will incorporate outside research materials to examine two subnational governments (2 state governments or 2 city governments or 2 county governments) and explain the policy process for a single policy issue.

 You will consider the conditions that shape the policy issue and the roles of policy actors.

 You will evaluate the policy outcomes for the localities (state government/city government/county government) to understand why the outcomes might be similar and/or different using the comparative method (most-similar systems or most-different systems). 

 You will reflect on the impact of the policy issue for individuals living in those cities/counties.

Materials: You will use your textbook, any course content, and outside research materials (state/local issued government reports, news articles, academic articles, books, etc.) to create your essay. You must cite at minimum, 3 external research materials for each city/county government, which in total is 6 (aside from the textbook so 7 for minimum). Use the VC or UCF library’s website, google scholar, or even just a simple google search to look up your issue.

Directions: Following your paper proposal outline as your guide of the your most-similar or most-different comparisons of a single policy issue for two subnational governments:

You will write a 5 to 7 pages, double-spaced paper, using 12-point font. You must have an introduction paragraph and a conclusion. Use the MLA or APA style guide to cite your source(s) and provide a reference or “works cited” page. Late submissions are not be accepted. Missing parenthetical citations and a reference page will result in a zero for the grade due to academic dishonesty. Unicheck, the plagiarism detection tool of Canvas, will be used.

The Logic of Comparing Systems for States/Cities/Counties: You pick two states or cities or counties to analyze and decide whether they are similar or different to each other on characteristics that you find important. It is your argument. Take the lead and think about your localities and the outcomes you observe! You can also See Module 1 for a refresher.

Comparative Policy Paper: Comparative Study of Localities (75 pts)—Due Last Class Learning Objectives for Comparative Policy Paper: Throughout this course, you will apply the concepts learned from the course materials, online lectures, and your critical reflections to conduct a comparative study of two states/cities/counties for a single policy issue within a framework of multi-level governance (federalism). Your single policy issue is of your choosing and will be approved by your instructor.