discuss one last

M8D2: Policy Evaluation and Feedback

Over the past seven weeks, we have discussed various stages in the policy making process. This week we focus on how policies are evaluated once they are enacted and how we provide feedback to stakeholders on the effects. Although the policy making process is circular, the evaluation and feedback stage is both the end and beginning of the cycle. It is critical to evaluate if policies are effective at achieving their goals. Those evaluations will usually lead to another round of policy analysis and development. A key question is how best to provide feedback to stakeholders, particularly legislators, on the results of policies that are implemented and what evaluations of policy are determined.

In this discussion, consider what types of information and data are best to provide to stakeholders about policy changes and the most effective strategies for conveying the information that will result in necessary adaptations. Use the following questions to help guide your initial response:

Who should be responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of enacted policies?

What do different stakeholders need to hear regarding the effectiveness of enacted policy changes?

What types of communications are best to convey information on policy effectiveness to stakeholders?

What specifically do legislators need to hear about the effectiveness of policies, and what is the best way to convey this information to them?

What should be done if the impacts of an enacted policy are markedly different from what was expected?

What role should policy analysts play in the policy evaluation and feedback process?

Your response does not need to specifically address each individual bullet separately. However, your response should touch on the theme of each bullet in your completed post.

Then, respond to your classmates. How did your thoughts differ from your classmate’s? What important points did your classmate raise that you could expand on? What examples could you share that would highlight the difference in thinking between you and your classmate? How does your lens (your personal experiences, background, learning, etc.) affect your thinking on this subject, and how does your lens differ from that of your classmate?

Consult the Discussion Posting Guide for information about writing your discussion posts. It is recommended that you write your post in a document first. Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to make your initial post, click on "Reply." Then copy/paste the text into the message field, and click "Post Reply." 

To respond to a peer, click “Reply” beneath her or his post and continue as with an initial post.

Evaluation

This discussion will be graded using a rubric. Please review this rubric prior to beginning the discussion. You can view the rubric on the Course Rubrics page within the Start Here module. All discussions combined are worth 25% of your final course grade.