6.4.3 Test (TST): Public Policy
Part I: Short-Answer Questions (20 points)
1. What role does the executive branch of government play in the
... [Show More] policy-making process? What role
does the legislative branch play? (4 points)
The executive branch can sometimes formulate the policies, but they mostly implement them because
the executive branch’s duty is to mainly make sure laws and policies are upheld. The legislative branch
has the duty to formulate and to debate and adopt different policies.
2. In a short paragraph, summarize education policy in the United States today. Explain how specific
aspects of U.S. education policy reflect national values and interests. (4 points)
In 1965, Congress passed two laws that expanded federal funding for education. The Elementary and
Secondary Education Act provided the first federal funding for public schools. The Higher Education Act
created a National Teacher Corps and established a financial aid system for college students. In 1980 the
U.S. Department of education was created to oversee the nation’s education policy. In 2001 the No Child
Left Behind Act was signed in a response to declining achievement in schools across the country. Under
President Obama, the No Child Left Behind Act was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act. The
new law maintained federal funding for public schools but reduced the testing requirements. It also gave
more power to individual states to determine testing requirements, scaling back federal involvement in
education policy. These policies reflect the nations values because they show that America want’s
everyone to have a fair chance just like how everyone needed a fair chance in voting and other political
matters.
3. In a short paragraph, describe one of the following foreign policy tools:
Humanitarian aid
Treaties
Sanctions
Your response should explain why this tool is used, along with at least one of its advantages and one
of its disadvantages. (4 points)
Humanitarian aid is used because it allows the US to have influence on other countries by helping them
in times of need. Humanitarian aid endeavors to save lives, reduce suffering, and ensure that human
dignity is protected even during times of crisis. But it is also hard to raise enough money to make
significant impact with transportation costs and scheduling. In other times, corruption may lead to local
politicians using aid for their own means or for political gain. [Show Less]