MOD+3

Exercise 5.1: Describing the Societal Problem and its Geographic Location Your Total Score:_ (Maximum: 8 points)

A. Briefly state your societal problem and which local area of the country it applies to (i.e. town, city, county, school district). For this module, your geographic level must be local. (2 points) Part A score:_


 * **State your societal problem here:**

Too many obese high school students


 * **State the specific geographic area you will be focusing on here:**

New York State

B. Clearly describe two of the most important negative effects of the problem. (6 points) Part B score:_


 * **Describe the first negative effect here:**

Higher Healthcare Costs in the Future


 * **Describe the second negative effect here:**

Attentiveness in Classes

Exercise 5.2: Providing Evidence of a Societal Problem within the County of your Choosing Your Total Score:_ (Maximum: 21 points)

Provide three different forms of clear and convincing evidence of the societal problem identified in Exercise 5.1. Specify the geographic locality that each piece of evidence is from, which should be the same locality as you identified in 5.1. If it is not, you must specify how the evidence you find is relevant to the locality that you specified in 5.1.
 * Write up to 4 sentences describing each piece of evidence. (7 points each)
 * Label graphs and tables to conform to the example given on page 61, figure 5.2 of the //Maxwell Manual// - one point will be deducted for each format error. Make sure your graph has a title, labeled axes, and a source.


 * **Write up to 4 sentences providing evidence of your societal problem and support this evidence by including a trend line graph. (Note: graph must be generated electronically and may not be hand drawn. Needs to have at least 3 points and at least one point must be real):**

According to the graph since 1990 the amount of people who are obese is steadily increasing. These people include many obese high school students.


 * **Write up to 4 sentences providing evidence based on a quote from a player, stakeholder, or expert you interviewed here (include the direct quote that supports the evidence)**

“Today obesity is becoming more of a problem for high school students. Schools must begin to address and help to fix this problem before it gets worse.”

“ It's no surprise, then, that obesity rates among U.S. youngsters have skyrocketed, tripling from 1976 to 2004. Public-health experts and obesity researchers attribute the trend in part to kids' increasingly sedentary lifestyles. As teens spend more and more time anchored before a screen — burning fewer and fewer calories each day — they're storing more of that unused energy as fat. Hence, the ballooning rates of obesity. “
 * **Write up to 4 sentences providing evidence by citing a print or electronic source here:**

Park, Alice. (2009). “Teen Obesity: Lack of Exercise May Not Be to Blame” //Time//. November 9.

Exercise 5.3: Identifying Underlying Causes of the Problem Your Total Score:_ (Maximum: 12 points)

Describe and provide sources for the four most significant causes that contribute to the existence of the societal problem which you are studying. (NOTE: the causes and sources used can be general & not specific to the local area.) The causes should not overlap or be redundant. /
 * One source may be used for several or all of the causes, and at least one of the four must be based on a quote from a player, stakeholder, or expert you have interviewed (7 points will be deducted if you do not do this).
 * 3 points will be deducted if a major cause is not discussed and full credit will be assigned only if reasonable causes are included and the discussion is clearly and precisely written.
 * **Write and briefly describe the first cause here:**

Overeating [|www.obesity.ygoy.com/obesity-teens]


 * **Write and briefly describe the second cause here:**

Lack of Exercise / Sedentary Lifestyle [|www.abcnews.go.com/health/wirestory?id=9047066]


 * **Write and briefly describe the third cause here:**

Teenage Employment & Income newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/obesity-among-california-s-low-72532.aspx


 * **Write and briefly describe the fourth cause here:**

Two Income Households

Exercise 5.4: Describing the Current Policy Your Total Score:_ (Maximum: 8 points)

A. Describe one current policy now in effect in the locality you specified in 5.1 to remedy the problem described in 5.1. The policy can originate at a local, state, or national level but must be operating in all or part of the locality you have chosen. Be clear where it originates. (2 points) Part A score: _


 * **Describe the policy here:**

Nutrition Standards Mandatory Physical Education / Health Classes Healthier Food in Vending Machines

http://www.ncsl.org/IssuesResearch/Health/ChildhoodObesity2005PolicyOptionsNutrition/tabid/14396/Default.aspx


 * **Write the specific geographic location the policy originated in here:**

New York State

B. Identify the local administrative unit primarily responsible for implementing the policy. (2 points) Part B score:_


 * **Identify the local administrative unit here:**

Mahopac High School

Mahopac Central School District
 * **State the geographic location over which they have the authority to act:**

C. Identify the legislative body that is the original source of this policy. (2 points) Part C score:_

Mahopac District School Board
 * **Identify the legislative body here:**


 * **State the geographic location over which they have the authority to act:**

Mahopac School District

D. Describe how a court at any level (local, state, federal) could be involved in the application of the policy. (2 points) Part D score:_


 * **Describe how a court could be involved here:**

Restricting the rights of students to choose the food they want / need.

Depending on which kind of level the court is it can have authority to act statewide, locally, or nationally.
 * **State the geographic location over which they have the authority to act:**

Exercise 5.5: Describing the Role of Business and Non‑Profit Organizations Your Total Score:_ (Maximum: 6 points)

A. Identify a business corporation and describe an action it takes to reduce the societal problem you are studying at any geographic level, not necessarily your chosen locality. (3 points) Part A score: _

NFL New York, New York
 * **Write the name and location of the corporate headquarters of the business here:**


 * **Describe the action in one sentence by quoting a statement either from the company itself or another source, indicating that the corporation takes an action to reduce the problem here:**

NFL Play 60 encourages youth to be more active and exercise

B. Identify a non-profit organization and describe an action it takes to reduce the societal problem you are studying at any geographic level, not necessarily your chosen locality. (3 points) Part B score: _


 * **Write the name and location of the local or national headquarters of the non-profit organization here:**

Action for Healthy Kids Skokie, Illinois


 * **Describe the action the organization takes to reduce the problem in one sentence by quoting a statement either from the organization or another source:**

“Through their 2008-2009 work, the IA Team impacted over 100 school districts and worked directly with 300 students to empower them to get involved with school wellness initiatives.”

_.(2009).“Iowa Action For Healthy Kids”[]. Retrieved February 20, 2010

Exercise 5.6: Examining the News Media's Discussion of Societal Problems Your Total Score: _ (Maximum: 6 points)

Select and evaluate an editorial, op-ed, or letter to the editor published within the last 6 months from any newspaper that discusses your societal problem at any governmental level or location. Do not summarize the article. Attach a copy of the entire article directly behind this exercise.


 * **Evaluate how well the author presents the “societal problem,” “evidence of the problem,” and “causes of the problem,” and quote at least one sentence or part of it from the article here:**

The author states the social problem by showing examples and the reason they believe that obesity is such a problem. They also clearly state examples of evidence of the problem.


 * “**More must now be done to fight the childhood obesity epidemic, which has triggered a frightening spike in weight-related disorders like diabetes, high-blood pressure and heart disease among young people. And the place to start is the schools, where junk foods sold outside the federal meals programs — through snack bars, vending machines and à la carte food lines — has pretty much canceled out the benefits of all those healthy lunches and breakfasts.”

___.(2009).”Selling Obesity at High School” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/opinion/27mon2.html. April 26.

Exercise 6.1: Evaluating the Grading Exercise and Increasing Learning Your Total Score:___ __(Maximum: 6 points)

Identify and justify in one sentence which of the three grading alternatives would be most **feasible** in future PAF 101 classes. In another sentence, identify and justify which of the three grading alternatives would be most **effective** in future PAF 101 classes to increase learning.__


 * **Write one sentence for which alternative would be most feasible here:**

A feasible way of grading would be allow students to give each other honest grades based on their ability to do well in the class, keeping in mind; participation, knowledge, etc.


 * **Write one sentence for which alternative would be most effective here:**

An effective way to grade would be to give students there number or letter grades that they earn and not give exceptions. This will cause students to get their work in on time and correct.

Exercise 6.2: Developing Public Policy Alternatives Your Total Score:_ __(Maximum: 33 points)

A. Using **information from a book, website, or article**, describe a public policy alternative to the existing policy to deal with the societal problem identified in Exercise 5.1. The information can refer to any geographic area or governmental level.__ Part A score:_
 * The policy must be at the local level and be reasonable in terms of the criteria discussed in Step 2 on pp. 73-74 of the //Maxwell Manual//.
 * To receive credit for this exercise, the alternative must be able to be implemented by one or more agencies that have direct authority in the geographic location your policy targets.
 * Rate the feasibility and effectiveness of your alternative using the terms “high,” “medium,” or “low,” and justify your rating. (8 points)
 * Internal citation needed for all policy alternatives.

__ · **Description of Policy Alternative #1 and the local government agency responsible for implementation here:** Biggest Loser Prom Contest Putnam County School Districts

· ** Identify your source of information and explain how it helped you formulate your policy here: ** Classroom discussion.

· **Rate Policy Alternative #1 Effectiveness here:** Low · **Justification:** Different Motivations for different students; Difficult motivation; Difficult to Enforce, not mandatory ; students like to monkey wrench

· **Rate Policy Alternative #1 Feasibility here:** Low
 * Justification:** concerned parents would fear health consequences; educators/administrators- school is not about prom, cafeteria vending machine vendors would oppose threats to their income.

B. Using **information you received through an interview with a player, stakeholder, or expert**, describe a public policy alternative to the existing policy to deal with the societal problem identified in Exercise 5.1. The information can refer to any geographic area or governmental level. · Follow the instructions from Part A. (8 points) Part B score:___

__ · **Description of Policy Alternative #2 and the local government agency responsible for implementation here:** Labeling foods with nutrition facts (calories/ingredients/Calorie sources) New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets New York State Consumer Production · ** Identify your source of information and explain how it helped you formulate your policy here: ** Classroom discussion.

· **Rate Policy Alternative #2 Effectiveness here:** High · **Justification:** Even if people eat unhealthy food, they will likely choose “healthier” choicer with fewer calories

· **Rate Policy Alternative #2 Feasibility here:** High · **Justification:** Not coercive; Not expensive; No opposition, even cigarette companies acceded to warning labels

C. Using **any source of information**, describe a public policy alternative to the existing policy to deal with the societal problem identified in Exercise 5.1. The information can refer to any geographic area or governmental level.__ Part C score:_
 * Follow the instructions from Part A. (8 points)

__ · **Description of Policy Alternative #3 and the local government agency responsible for implementation here:** Health Hike 2010- Raise $$ for Healthy Cafeteria/Vending Machines Mahopac School District · ** Identify your source of information and explain how it helped you formulate your policy here: ** Classroom discussion.

· **Rate Policy Alternative #3 Effectiveness here:** High · **Justification:** Personal Experience; The lower the cost the more healthy food students will consume

· **Rate Policy Alternative #3 Feasibility here:** Medium · **Justification:** Junk food companies will complain about unfair competition; Student’s rights would be violated è Restive Students; Health students will blame low metabolism students

D. Using only your ratings and justifications in Parts A-C, summarize your preferred policy alternative clearly and coherently in no more than 5 sentences. (9 points) Part D score:___

I believe the Awareness Raising strategy (labeling calories) will be most effective. For example, if you are choosing your meal at a restaurant, you will be more likely to pick a food that is a little lower in calories. Even though the restaurant may not have healthy food, you are still more likely to pick the meal with lower calories. This can also turn people away from certain foods. People can use the calorie count to choose what they will eat. This will help society make better choices. Exercise 6.3: Finding Legislation on Your Topic Your Total Score:_ __(Maximum: 10 points)
 * **In no more than 5 sentences, state your preferred policy and explain why it is superior to the other two alternatives by comparing the feasibility and effectiveness of each here:**

A. Using the Congressional Information Service (CIS Index) reference material or the web address, **http://thomas.loc.gov**, find a piece of federal legislation related to your topic area (not necessarily your proposed policy). Attach a copy of the first page of the legislation. (5 points) Part A score:___

__**Expressing support for designation of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. (Introduced in House)** HRES 996 IH 111th CONGRESS 1st Session Expressing support for designation of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. **IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES** __
 * H. RES. 996**

December 19, 2009
Ms. FUDGE (for herself, Ms. GRANGER, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mrs. BONO MACK, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. CASTLE, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. CONYERS, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. HARE, Ms. NORTON, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. KIND, Mr. KIRK, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. MASSA, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. PLATTS, Ms. RICHARDSON, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. SESTAK, Mr. SIRES, and Mr. ALEXANDER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

· **Record the full search statement you used here:** Obesity

· **Write one complete sentence on how the bill is related to your topic here:** This resolution attempts to raise awareness about obesity by making students aware when they start the school year.

B. Using the New York State web address (**www.state.ny.us**) or the New York State Assembly or Senate home pages (**http://assembly.state.ny.us** or **http://senate.state.ny.us**), find a piece of legislation related to your topic area (not necessarily your proposed policy). Attach a copy of the first page of the legislation. (5 points) Part B score:_

code BILL NO   A00590 code code  code code SAME AS   Same as Uni. S 356 code code  code code SPONSOR   Sayward code code  code code COSPNSR   Hawley, McKevitt, Duprey code code  code code MLTSPNSR  Bacalles, Ball, Barclay, Calhoun, Conte, Crouch, Errigo, Giglio, code code           Gunther, Lopez P, Magee, Spano, Townsend, Weisenberg code code  code code Amd S915, Ed L code code  code code Provides for the sale, availability and distribution of healthy foods and code code beverages as part of a school lunch program; sets forth portion size and food code code <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">requirements; requires nutritional information on all food items and beverages which are not prepackaged with such; provides for a ten cent reimbursement from the state per lunch sold; requires the commissioner to establish a procedure for engaging school wellness committees. code

· **Record the full search statement you used here:** Nutrition

· **Write one complete sentence on how the bill is related to your topic here:**

This bill is directly related to improving the nutritional value of the cafeteria food for New York elementary and secondary students.

Exercise 6.4: References Your Total Score:_ __(Maximum: 10 points)__


 * Prepare a list of references that includes all sources for this module.
 * Follow the APA format.
 * Include all sources used in the exercises.

· **Start References on the next line or on the next page:**

Park, Alice. (2009). “Teen Obesity: Lack of Exercise May Not Be to Blame” //Time//. November 9.

___.(2009).“Iowa Action For Healthy Kids”[]. Retrieved February 20, 2010__

_.(2009).”Selling Obesity at High School” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/opinion/27mon2.html. April 26.

.