1.Policy Cycle As noted in the readings, the policy cycle consists of eight stages: agenda setting, problem definition, alternative selection, authoritative decision, policy design, program implementation, program evaluation, and termination or change (Cropf, p. 259). In a two- to three-paragraph posting, select one of these eight stages and identify why this stage is important in the policy cycle. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

2.Program Evaluation Simply designing and implementing a policy is not enough to guarantee the success of a program – it also involves evaluating the progress of that policy in order to make any necessary adjustments to increase quality and efficacy.

Pick a public policy that has been in the news recently, and evaluate whether that policy has achieved measurable objectives, and if not, why the policy has not met the expectations of its policy designers. You may select, for example, policies regarding education (e.g., No Child Left Behind), the economy (e.g., cutting taxes for middle-class taxpayers), or foreign policy (e.g., American military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan). Be sure to include what criteria you used to evaluate whether the policy succeeded or failed. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings