Download Script - Bridges

Greeting everyone, this is Nouf Alsaleh. I am an MPA student at RWU, and I would like to take
the next few minutes to present my final reflection for PA 504 Public Policy & Program
Evaluation.
I.
Introduction:
PA 504 is a core course for the MPA students and it was administrated online with three
meetings through the semester with Dr. Hall, in purpose to discuss the course contents and
requirements. I found that taking PA 504 is useful for me since it is the first time I got the
opportunity to deal with policies in different area. This course gives me a chance to learn about
the creation, implementation, progression, and analyzing the policy from an academic
perspective.
In PA 504 we covered different materials such as lessons, fora discussions, and assignments that
all work along together to finalize the policy measurement paper, and enhance the overall
comprehensive of the public policy.
I.
Lessons Reflection:
The lessons have a significant portion of the course materials. In the lessons we were
introduced to the public policy definition, adding to the areas that fall under the public policy
such as regulations, services, security agencies, regulatory agencies. It was surprising to know
that railroad and bridges exist under the public policy structure. I have learned that “Public
Official Organizations advance public professional standards, advancing the public interest and
creating public trust, connecting and collaborating for improved governance, seeking to address
governance imbalances and ineffectiveness, and providing new ideas and innovations” (Dr. Hall,
lesson 1, 2013). Furthermore, I have learned about the federalist and their opposed view toward
Jefferson who was calling for democracy. One of the most important things that I have learned is
the Public policy structure. As illustrated by (Dr.Hall, lesson 6, 2013), “the U.S public policy
structure begins with the United States Constitution. The United States Constitution begins with
the Preamble”. In addition, “The Constitution is heavily influenced by Plato’s Republic. Since a
number of the Founders were educated in the classics, they were very familiar with Plato” (Dr.
Hall, lesson 6, 2013). Further, I have learned about the legislative process which starts by the
policy proposal of a policy problem. Proposal known also as bill that arises from policy agenda.
Other important thing that I have learned is lobbying. Lobbying until recent time was unclear
concept for me as it is not implemented in my country. However, (Dr. Hall, lesson 12, 2013)
illustrates “means any oral or written communication (including an electronic communication) to
a covered executive branch official or a covered legislative branch official that is made on behalf
of a client with regard to—(i) the formulation, modification, or adoption of Federal legislation
(including legislative proposals); (ii) the formulation, modification, or adoption of a Federal rule,
regulation, Executive order, or any other program, policy, or position of the United States
Government; (iii) the administration or execution of a Federal program or policy (including the
negotiation, award, or administration of a Federal contract, grant, loan, permit, or license); or (iv)
the nomination or confirmation of a person for a position subject to confirmation by the Senate”.
Following this point further, (Dr. Hall, lesson 13, 2013) introduces us to the ethical lobbying and
when the lobbyist activities considered ethical activities. Based on the lesson, the ethical lobbyist
“follow the moral philosophy akin to teleology, which involves weighing the costs and benefits
of a certain action or actions” (Dr. Hall, lesson 13, 2013). Public policy, also, is related to the
foreign policy and international relationship that fall under the scope of diplomacy, and “can take
the form of treaties, trade delegations, and ambassadors in other nations, economic assistance,
and cooperation among partner nations” (Dr. Hall, lesson 14, 2013). Implementation theory
presents one of the most significant aspects of public policy, (Dr. Hall, lesson 17, 2013) stresses
that “the implementation of a program depends upon its unique population needs, budgetary and
political contexts, and policy histories”. The American presidency has taken a place in our
course, I have learned that the president is a public servant who is carrying out the responsibility
of the economic status that affects his successful or failure accomplishments and achievements
rate.
II.
Assignments:
Throughout the semester, we assigned by Dr. Hall to work into two assignments, the first
one is the Trade Association. I closed to work on the National Association Home Builder. The
reason of choosing the NAHB, because it help to promote the policies that make housing a
national priority, and to enhance the climate for housing, homeownership and the residential
building industry. Find the link for citation . In this assignment, we were required to provide
information on location of the organization, expenses of the organization, including lobbying
expenses, names and salaries of employees and board members, by using specific websites and
form 990. In addition, the paper should introduce the court cases of the chosen association.
The second assignment is Ethic Speech. In this assignment, we were required to present a
speech to the Congress using the Woodstock Principles, and the American League of Lobbyists
Code of Ethics. The aim of the speech is to combat the corrupt elements in the lobbying field,
and to enhance the ethical lobbying practices principle which will ensure a free corruption of
lobbying practices.
III.
Class Meetings:
Throughout the semester we have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Hall in purpose of
discussing the hidden aspects of the lessons and enhancing our understanding of the course
contents. Besides that, Dr. Hall worked with us to highlight the main points of PA 504 course
project, and explained to us how we could choose the program that fall under specific area of
policy. Adding to that, Dr.Hall illustrates the criteria of measuring the chosen program by using
the scale, and that was extending to what we have done in PA 501 Foundation of Public
Administration.
IV.
May 1 ASPA Conference:
One of the interesting event that I have attended is ASPA Conference that held in May 1st.
The conference main subject is the Ethics, speakers influence us with their different ethical
experiences. In fact, I was attracted by Ms. Dawson as she spoke spontaneously about here
ethical behavior in here carrier, she pointed out that ethics should be adopted as a daily attitudes
toward our society, environment and community. Ethics in her perspective, is not limited to a
specific people such as lobbyist, ethics should present in all fields in order to better the
progression of the humanity. I, also, had the chance to speak to Ms. Harrop who introduced her
ethical behavior from a journalist view, and she welcomed us for further communication to
discuss the Code of Ethic.
V.
Policy Measurement Paper:
In this section, I would like to introduce my work in the policy measurement paper briefly,
because it will take more concentration in my following video. My paper focus on measuring the
effectiveness of the Early Reading First Program that was implemented by the No Child Left
Behind in 2002 by President Gorge W. Bush. I measured the program by using different
instructional scales that focused on the quality of the childhood preschool care setting, and the
interaction between teachers and children. For the program outcome, I have two variable which
is the Alphabet knowledge and literacy early skills. The paper started with a difenition of the
policy followed by a literature review. Also, the paper included the linkage between the Early
Reading Program its outcome.
VI.
Conclusion:
Taken PA 504 has given me many advantages and enhance my overall comprehensive of
the policy creation, progression and implementation. In addition, PA 504 has expanded my
vision of policy implementation theory and how it could applied in reality as I have learned when
I was working in my final paper. Only one thing that I was looking for, is to have more class
meetings with Dr. Hall as it is a core course and it has a heavily content and subjects need to be
discussed.
Reference
Dr. Hall, Michael, lessons 1, 6, 12, 13, 14 & 17, 2013).
http://www.nahb.org/page.aspx/landing/sectionID=5.