Policy Paper
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UCLA School of Public Affairs
Department of Public Policy
PP 10A Introduction to Public Policy
Professor Kenya Covington
covington@luskin.ucla.edu
Policy Paper:
The assignment requires that each student choose a public problem that requires a
governmental response. The public problems should be relatively new concerns,
emerging policy problems where there are new public concerns and growing
attention on the matter. The policy paper shall be 12 pages, not including the
references, tables, figures, or supporting documentation. The paper should be
double-spaced, in 11-12 point legible font that is not incursive with 1” inch
margins on all sides. Electronic copies of the paper will be uploaded by each
student. All late policy papers will be penalized by a letter grade per missed
classed.
Papers must include:
A. Executive Summary (1p) – Bullet point highlights B. Problem Statement (1.5p) C. Short Literature Review (2.5pp) D. Cost Benefit Analysis Section (all papers must include a cost/benefit
analysis) (2-3pp)
E. Interpretation of Data (2pp) F. Policy Implications (2pp)
Upload electronic copy to the course website.
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Title Page
Title
Author: Full name and Student ID #
In partial fulfillment of course requirements for PP10A
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RUBRIC
Perfect Score .20 - .50 deduction for
missing or ineffective
display of critical
information
A. Executive Summary (1p) –
Bullet point
highlights
Provide a summary of 5
major points of the policy
paper. Present these
points in bullet style. The
points shall be concise
and detailed or data
driven.
Missing critical summary
points will earn .20 - .50
deductions for each
instance.
B. Problem Statement (1p)
Succinct, positive
statement about the
problem. It shall convey
urgency.
Missing any component
will earn .20 - .50
deduction for each
instance.
C. Short Literature Review (2.5pp)
Section that alerts the
reading of the current
knowledge of the topic.
The presentation of the
literature shall be an
integrated presentation of
the current understanding.
Major
disagreements/agreements
should be highlighted as
well as exceptional
research designs or very
poor research design. All
material presented should
related directly to the
research problem
articulated in section I.
Missing any component
will earn .20 - .50
deduction for each
instance.
D. Data Analysis section requires a
Cost Benefit
Analysis (all papers
must include a
cost/benefit
Grading is based on the
same principles from the
Draft Cost Benefit
Analysis Assignment.
Missing any component
will earn .20 - .50
deduction for each
instance.
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analysis)
The CBA Decision
Weighted Score
Matrix and the results
of the Cost/Benefit
Calculation must be
included (2-3pp)
E. Interpretation of Data (2pp)
Persuasive narrative of
what the cost benefit
analysis reveals. The
narrative should focus
primarily on describing
important points/tradeoffs
and opportunity costs of
policy alternatives.
Missing any component
will earn .20 -.50
deduction for each
instance.
F. Policy Implications (1-2pp)
What are the potential
consequences of
implementing such
policy? Include a
discussion about
unintended consequences.
Identify 3 significant
concerns, including major
gains that may occur with
the adoption of public
policy.
Missing any component
will earn .20 - .50
deduction for each
instance.