CHOICEWORK DIALOGUE GUIDES
Based on decades of research and experience concerning how average citizens think and talk about issues, Public Agenda's Choicework dialogue materials are designed to help groups and communities talk productively about public problems.
Choicework dialogue materials present alternative perspectives on an issue, highlighting the pros, cons and tradeoffs of going down different paths. They use everyday language, not professional jargon, and focus on the kinds of concerns and values that non-experts can readily engage. Public Agenda's choicework dialogue materials are all available in print versions, and many have corresponding 10-12 minutes videos as well. In many cases Spanish language versions are also available. Print choicework guides are available for free PDF download, while videos may be ordered from Public Agenda for $20.00 each.
Choicework dialogue materials present alternative perspectives on an issue, highlighting the pros, cons and tradeoffs of going down different paths. They use everyday language, not professional jargon, and focus on the kinds of concerns and values that non-experts can readily engage. Public Agenda's choicework dialogue materials are all available in print versions, and many have corresponding 10-12 minutes videos as well. In many cases Spanish language versions are also available. Print choicework guides are available for free PDF download, while videos may be ordered from Public Agenda for $20.00 each.
(Available in Print and Video format)
Community colleges are a critical part of our nation’s educational system and serve a wide variety of students with a wide variety of goals. They offer an affordable first step to higher education for students who wish to stay close to home, or who may not yet have the necessary grades for a four-year school, and they provide marketable job skills to recent graduates or older professionals. Of course, every college has some students who are struggling, for whom achieving their goals remains out of reach. This dialogue presents three approaches that the college and community could take in order to help students achieve their goals and be more successful in college.
Community colleges are a critical part of our nation’s educational system and serve a wide variety of students with a wide variety of goals. They offer an affordable first step to higher education for students who wish to stay close to home, or who may not yet have the necessary grades for a four-year school, and they provide marketable job skills to recent graduates or older professionals. Of course, every college has some students who are struggling, for whom achieving their goals remains out of reach. This dialogue presents three approaches that the college and community could take in order to help students achieve their goals and be more successful in college.
- Making sure students are able to do college-level work
- Helping students deal with the pressures in their lives
- Ensuring a rigorous and engaging academic experience
(Available in Print and Video format)
Whether they’re planning to attend a four-year university, a two-year degree program or enter an on-the-job training program, today’s students will be living in a world of rapid technological change where more and more good jobs and promising careers will require a solid background in math, engineering, technology and science (METS). Unfortunately, recent studies suggest that we are not doing a good enough job teaching METS subjects to today’s students. How can we change these trends and make sure that all students who graduate from our high schools have the METS education they’ll need? We examine three approaches:
Whether they’re planning to attend a four-year university, a two-year degree program or enter an on-the-job training program, today’s students will be living in a world of rapid technological change where more and more good jobs and promising careers will require a solid background in math, engineering, technology and science (METS). Unfortunately, recent studies suggest that we are not doing a good enough job teaching METS subjects to today’s students. How can we change these trends and make sure that all students who graduate from our high schools have the METS education they’ll need? We examine three approaches:
- Invest in great teachers: skilled, enthusiastic teachers with a deep knowledge of their subject area are the key to helping students master METS subjects.
- Better accountability: the key to better results is demanding more of our teachers, students and schools through a strong and smart system of accountability.
- 21st century curriculum: a challenging, engaging, world-class METS curriculum that will help students meet the challenges of today’s world is the real key to student success.
(Available in Print Guide Only format)
Climate change is a serious issue and a topic that many citizens believe we need to address. But where do we start? This discussion guide provides alternative arguments about the best way to address the problem of climate change. Using this framework can help citizens grapple with the choices and tradeoffs involved. The discussion guide is designed to help citizens decide on the policies and practices we should develop to meet the challenges of climate change. The three approaches presented in the guide are:
Climate change is a serious issue and a topic that many citizens believe we need to address. But where do we start? This discussion guide provides alternative arguments about the best way to address the problem of climate change. Using this framework can help citizens grapple with the choices and tradeoffs involved. The discussion guide is designed to help citizens decide on the policies and practices we should develop to meet the challenges of climate change. The three approaches presented in the guide are:
- Strong government action to prevent and minimize the worst consequences of climate change.
- Help vulnerable communities adapt to the consequences of climate change.
- Trust the free market to lead the way in the search for solutions.
(Available in Print and Video format)
Many educators, parents and researchers agree that high quality "school readiness" programs can help youngsters be more successful later on in school and in life.
But preschool programs vary widely in quality. How can we make sure that all preschool programs provide safe and enriching environments that do a good job preparing children for school? In other words, how can we make sure all preschool programs are of the highest possible quality?
Many educators, parents and researchers agree that high quality "school readiness" programs can help youngsters be more successful later on in school and in life.
But preschool programs vary widely in quality. How can we make sure that all preschool programs provide safe and enriching environments that do a good job preparing children for school? In other words, how can we make sure all preschool programs are of the highest possible quality?
- Fund programs more adequately and equitably
- Create standards and accountability
- Give parents more choice
(Available in Print Guide Only format)
Everyone wants schools that are safe, where students, teachers and support staff can concentrate on learning and not have to worry about crime and violence. In this community dialogue, you'll be asked to discuss your ideas on the best way to ensure that schools are safe places for children to learn and grow.
Different approaches to school safety will have different benefits and different costs and challenges. To help you and your neighbors decide what is most important to you, we've created three hypothetical school communities, each of which has approached the issue of school safety in a different way. Which would you want for your own community and schools, and why?
Everyone wants schools that are safe, where students, teachers and support staff can concentrate on learning and not have to worry about crime and violence. In this community dialogue, you'll be asked to discuss your ideas on the best way to ensure that schools are safe places for children to learn and grow.
Different approaches to school safety will have different benefits and different costs and challenges. To help you and your neighbors decide what is most important to you, we've created three hypothetical school communities, each of which has approached the issue of school safety in a different way. Which would you want for your own community and schools, and why?
- Teach students to resolve conflicts peacefully and provide social services to those in need
- Set behavioral standards with clear consequences and make students and their parents accountable
- Enhance school security and reinforce this in the community
(Available in Print Guide Only format)
There are a variety of strategies that can guide a police department in its efforts to prevent crime and promote public safety. Some of these strategies may be more effective for a given community than others. To help you better understand the range of strategies that police departments can use, we've created a discussion guide that reviews three key approaches.
There are a variety of strategies that can guide a police department in its efforts to prevent crime and promote public safety. Some of these strategies may be more effective for a given community than others. To help you better understand the range of strategies that police departments can use, we've created a discussion guide that reviews three key approaches.
- Improve police procedures for solving serious crime
- Do sweat the small stuff
- Partner with the community to fight crime
(Available in Print Guide Only format)
Local law enforcement plays a critical role in the fight against terrorism. Officers identify and guard likely targets, generate intelligence through informants, undercover work and technology, and coordinate with federal authorities. And, should prevention fail, they are among the first responders who try to minimize the damage.
How can law enforcement officers be most effective in fighting terrorism? Do they need new powers, technologies and procedures? What role, if any, should the community play in these efforts? Moreover, how should we deal with tradeoffs we might face with respect to our privacy and civil liberties? How can infringement on civil liberties be avoided, or at least minimized, while we work to maintain our security?
Local law enforcement plays a critical role in the fight against terrorism. Officers identify and guard likely targets, generate intelligence through informants, undercover work and technology, and coordinate with federal authorities. And, should prevention fail, they are among the first responders who try to minimize the damage.
How can law enforcement officers be most effective in fighting terrorism? Do they need new powers, technologies and procedures? What role, if any, should the community play in these efforts? Moreover, how should we deal with tradeoffs we might face with respect to our privacy and civil liberties? How can infringement on civil liberties be avoided, or at least minimized, while we work to maintain our security?
- The community should support the police in their efforts to prevent terrorism
- The community should act as a watchdog to ensure that civil liberties are protected as the police fight terrorism
- The community should be an active partner with the police in efforts to fight terrorism and protect civil liberties
(Available in Print Guide Only format)
It seems to be a reality of modern urban life that, from time to time, tensions can develop between law enforcement and community members or groups. Given this reality, it is worth doing some thinking about the best ways to prevent these tensions from developing in the first place, and of resolving them when they do. We've developed a framework that offers three contrasting approaches to improving police-community relations. Which makes the most sense for this community--and why? We should work to:
It seems to be a reality of modern urban life that, from time to time, tensions can develop between law enforcement and community members or groups. Given this reality, it is worth doing some thinking about the best ways to prevent these tensions from developing in the first place, and of resolving them when they do. We've developed a framework that offers three contrasting approaches to improving police-community relations. Which makes the most sense for this community--and why? We should work to:
- Improve police accountability
- Increase mutual understanding
- Build healthier communities
(Available in Print Guide Only format)
What can and should be done about the state of the Sound and the oceans? How should we address these issues? And how can science help us? Science is clearly vital to understanding these sorts of problems and their potential solutions. Science, however, cannot solve all our problems by itself-it takes regular citizens, along with policymakers, public institutions and businesses, to create real change.
In today's discussion, we will explore the problems facing the Sound and how citizens can work together with scientists and policymakers to address them. To help get the discussion going, we have suggested three different approaches to addressing the challenges facing Seattle, the Sound and the Seas in the 21st Century. Which do you think makes the most sense and why?
What can and should be done about the state of the Sound and the oceans? How should we address these issues? And how can science help us? Science is clearly vital to understanding these sorts of problems and their potential solutions. Science, however, cannot solve all our problems by itself-it takes regular citizens, along with policymakers, public institutions and businesses, to create real change.
In today's discussion, we will explore the problems facing the Sound and how citizens can work together with scientists and policymakers to address them. To help get the discussion going, we have suggested three different approaches to addressing the challenges facing Seattle, the Sound and the Seas in the 21st Century. Which do you think makes the most sense and why?
- Change how Seattle's citizens and businesses use the ocean.
- Invest in technologies and infrastructure to solve problems facing the waterways.
- Accept some environmental stress so that Seattle can remain a true port city.
(Available in Print and Video format)
Created for a statewide discussion forum in New Jersey on taxes. This guide is intended to help citizens in New Jersey take stock of the taxes in their state and talk about how to improve the system. It will help answer the question: What is the best way to raise the resources for the public services we decide we want? Which approach, or which parts of several approaches, are most important for policy makers to concentrate on in their efforts to improve the tax system:
Created for a statewide discussion forum in New Jersey on taxes. This guide is intended to help citizens in New Jersey take stock of the taxes in their state and talk about how to improve the system. It will help answer the question: What is the best way to raise the resources for the public services we decide we want? Which approach, or which parts of several approaches, are most important for policy makers to concentrate on in their efforts to improve the tax system:
- We should stick with what we've got, a tax system that maximizes local control while using state assistance to address problems.
- We should take the state out of the picture and let each community solve its own problems.
- We should give towns new ways to raise tax revenues and control costs.
- We should create a more equitable system by relying more on statewide taxes and less on the property tax.
Talk It Over