Question 1

Summarize the services provided by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP,formerly known as food stamps).Describe the qualifications necessary to receive aid under these programs.Do you believe these qualifications need to be revised? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

Summarize the roles of the national and Texas governments in providing health and human services to Texans.Analyze how well privatization has worked in the provision of health and human services.Is more government intervention necessary? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

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Question 3

Why did Texas legislators mandate the top 10 percent rule? Summarize the rule,and tell if you think it should be maintained or abandoned.Explain your reasoning.

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

What is a good definition of the term public policy?
A) Actions a government takes to keep citizens safe
B) The ability of the business community to affect political decisions
C) Decisions a government makes on behalf of the poor and elderly
D) The actions a government is constitutionally required to take
E) What government does or does not do to and for its citizens

Accepted Answer

Public policy refers to the actions and decisions made by governments to address issues and affect the lives of their citizens. This can include laws, regulations, budget allocations, and other actions taken by the government or its agencies. It encompasses a wide range of areas, from education and healthcare to economic policy and national security.

Question 5

What is the role of lobbyists regarding public policy? In what ways do lobbyists work with the bureaucracy?

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Question 6

What Texas agencies seem to be examples of "agency capture" and why?

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Question 7

Race or ethnicity and testing are major issues in Texas education.Summarize the controversies surrounding one of these issues.Are the actions taken by the Texas government sufficient to address the issue you chose? Why or why not?

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Question 8

As a citizen,do you think your interests are better protected by programs and regulations made by the federal,state,or local government? Give some examples of programs better suited to each level.

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

What is one reason why the current Texas testing program (STAAR)is controversial?
A) It does not require end-of-course tests for some subjects.
B) It is used for evaluating teachers and schools.
C) In practice,it does not encourage teaching to the test.
D) It allows disabled students extra time to complete the tests.
E) The tests are not closely tied to college readiness.

Accepted Answer

Many educators and parents argue that using the STAAR test results to evaluate schools and teacher effectiveness puts too much emphasis on test scores and does not accurately reflect the quality of education being provided.

Question 10

Which interest group in Texas has argued forcefully that the United States needs comprehensive immigration policy reform?
A) Medical groups
B) Voting rights groups
C) Gun rights groups
D) Business groups
E) Consumer advocacy groups

Accepted Answer

Business groups in Texas have argued forcefully for comprehensive immigration policy reform as they rely heavily on immigrant labor, particularly in industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality. These groups have argued that without a comprehensive reform, the economy will suffer and industries will find it difficult to fill job openings.

Question 11

Describe the methods of administrative control of public higher education in Texas.Who are the most influential officials in higher education,and what issues facing higher education must they address?

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Question 12

Identify and explain the significance of TANF,SNAP,Medicaid,and Medicare.

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Which of the following statements regarding the elite model of policymaking is true?
A) It suggests that public policy should be determined by weighing costs and benefits.
B) It seeks to understand why some policies emerge and others do not.
C) It sees "new" public policy as only a modified version of past policy.
D) It considers the public at large to be apathetic and uninformed.
E) It sees group interaction as the essence of politics.

Accepted Answer

The elite model of policymaking considers the public at large to be apathetic and uninformed, and therefore not a major factor in decision-making.

Question 14

The relationship between Texas and which Latin American nation complicates the state's immigration policy?
A) El Salvador
B) Honduras
C) Mexico
D) Costa Rica
E) Nicaragua

Accepted Answer

The relationship between Texas and Mexico complicates the state's immigration policy. Texas shares a long border with Mexico, and there is a significant population of Mexican immigrants in Texas. Additionally, Texas has a large Hispanic/Latino population, many of whom are of Mexican descent. This close proximity and cultural ties make it difficult for Texas to implement harsh anti-immigration policies without alienating a significant portion of its population.

Question 15

Identify the principal environmental issues in Texas.Which state agencies are responsible for addressing these issues?

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Question 16

How do the demographics of Texas impact the state's immigration policy?

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Question 17

Imagine that you are the 29-year-old parent of two children.You are recently divorced and in good physical condition,but have completed only the tenth grade.To what public assistance are you and your children (ages 8 years and 13 months)now entitled,and from which agencies does this assistance come?

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Question 18

Does Texas's immigration policy adequately address the current situation facing the state? Why or why not? What changes to immigration policy would you propose?

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Question 19

How does the way that Texas government is organized affect public policy? What other influences outside of the government itself affect how policy is made in Texas?

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Question 20

How does a recipient of public assistance use the Lone Star Card?
A) To obtain food items in a grocery store
B) To obtain emergency medical treatment at a hospital
C) To obtain a loan from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program
D) As proof of state citizenship to renew a driving license or obtain a marriage license
E) As a way to establish credit at small,independent grocery stores

Accepted Answer

The Lone Star Card is a debit card used to access benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The recipient can use the card to buy eligible food items at participating grocery stores.

Quiz 12: Public Policy and Administration

Summarize the roles of the national and Texas governments in providing health and human services to Texans.Analyze how well privatization has worked in the provision of health and human services.Is more government intervention necessary? Why or why not?

Why did Texas legislators mandate the top 10 percent rule? Summarize the rule,and tell if you think it should be maintained or abandoned.Explain your reasoning.

What is a good definition of the term public policy?

What is the role of lobbyists regarding public policy? In what ways do lobbyists work with the bureaucracy?

What Texas agencies seem to be examples of "agency capture" and why?

Race or ethnicity and testing are major issues in Texas education.Summarize the controversies surrounding one of these issues.Are the actions taken by the Texas government sufficient to address the issue you chose? Why or why not?

As a citizen,do you think your interests are better protected by programs and regulations made by the federal,state,or local government? Give some examples of programs better suited to each level.

What is one reason why the current Texas testing program (STAAR) is controversial?

Which interest group in Texas has argued forcefully that the United States needs comprehensive immigration policy reform?