ELP Artifacts: American Government

Students are tasked with developing a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) that seeks to assess structural weaknesses in their local and state government and develop a series of corresponding policy solutions. Students will analyze the problem and present their solution to potential supporters in their community.

Note: the assignments below are aligned to TEL Mastery Standards. Visit the standards page to review the full list of comptencies, outcomes, and their descriptions.

Mini-Assignment 1

Assignment Summary: Students will research the government structures in their state, local, and federal governments to identify an issue within their community that could be solved using their local government. They will be asked to look at the historical development of American government in order to identify the factors that will impact their community problem and inform their solution to this problem.

Mini-Assignment 2

Assignment Summary: Students will create a “stakeholders” write-up identifying the relevant groups (special interest and political organizations) that would have an impact on their community issue. Students will interview (either in person or via email) one person from each type of organization to collect information.

Mini-Assignment 3

Assignment Summary: Students will research recently sponsored bills that are related to the community issue they are trying to solve. They will also profile local agencies that are federally funded that would be integral in solving their community problem.

Mini-Assignment 4

Assignment Summary: Students will write a speech that includes research from mini-assignments 1-3 as well as analyzing the local and global impacts on their community problems.

Mini-Assignment 5

Assignment Summary: Students will create a recorded video presentation with a visual presentation pitching their Community Improvement Plan to potential supporters in their community.