identify proposed legislation that is under consideration during the 2018 Florida Legislative Session. This legislation should pertain to social issues or policy concerns and reflect one of the “areas as legislative and advocacy issues” outlined in the NASW-FL 2017 Legislative Agenda. (www.naswfl.org/legislative.html
(Links to an external site.)
Links to an external site.
). Students may select their own social issue or policy with the approval of the instructor.
Note: Do not discount considering proposed legislation that diminishes the rights of oppressed groups, furthers inequality, is contrary to social work values, or in conflict with the NASW-FL Agenda.
Students will conduct an in-depth examination to determine the range and level of political support and opposition to the bill’s passage. Students should explore the legislative, social, ideological, and political positions of the bill’s sponsors(s), legislative support and opposition. They should also identify organizations, special interest groups, and coalitions who have a compelling interest in the bill, determine the rationale for their support or opposition, and identify strategies that are being employed to influence the passage of the bill.
In order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in the legislative process, students should consult legislators’ websites, voting records, newspaper articles, and media reports. Many organizations and special interest group have websites that describe their ideological positions, outline these positions on various policy issues and political agendas, and provide key strategies for advocacy.
From the perspective of social policy advocate, students will provide a written report that describes the findings from their research:
1. Description of the proposed legislation and the intent of the legislation
2. Identification of Bill’s sponsor(s) and in-depth review of findings regarding
the legislator(s) political position, legislative support, and opposition.
3. Identification of coalitions, special interest groups and organizations and
in depth review of findings regarding their positions.
4. Analysis of the influential power of both support and opposition positions and potential of either passage or defeat of the bill.
Guidelines:
8-10 pages in length (not including title page and reference list)
Comprehensive reference list that includes websites, articles and media reports.
APA style (Do not write an abstract)
1″ margins, all sides; double spaced; 12 point font
Title page
Be sure to spell-check and edit your paper before submitting it.
Grading Rubric: Political Advocacy Paper
Student _______________________________________________________
Proposed Legislation____________________________________________________
Overview & description of proposed
legislation and intent of legislation.
Please address how this aligns with
NASW Code of Ethics.
10
Identification of a bill’s sponsor(s),
sponsor(s) political position(s),
legislative support, opposition.
Provide in-depth review of findings
regarding their positions.
10
Identification of coalitions, special
interest groups, organizations; in
depth review of findings regarding
their positions.
5
Analysis of the influential power of
both support and opposition positions
and potential of either passage or
defeat of the bill.
5
Documented through resources such
as legislator position papers,
websites, voting records, newspaper
articles, media reports, etc.
3
Appearance:
Double spaced; 12 pt. font; 1”
margins
8 page minimum
Correct spelling and grammar
Correct citations and reference
page (APA format)
