Hi Logan, You seem to have a good understanding of the topic. I do not know much about this bill. On the last goal question at the end, you say how “this bill may result in widespread drug abuse,” I was wondering if there is a way to limit drug abuse if this bill is passed. Perhaps the best option, it seems, would be for the bill not to go through. It seems like a high-stakes bill for sure. It makes sense to me that this bill will put a disadvantage on the criminal justice system too. Thank you for your post.

Hi Ashley, You seem to have a good understanding of the topic. The American rescue plan seems like a policy worth keeping around. I agree that I don’t think it can have a disproportionate influence, given the number of times it goes through the judicial system. It appears to be an easier policy to either agree or disagree on. At least, I think it is a good policy based on my brief knowledge of it, and I don’t think it can create too much disagreement, but then again, it is hard to say which policies will be easier or harder. Thank you for your post.

Annabelle Crawford College of Arts & Sciences, Regent University ECON 290: Political Economy Dr. Jeff Bajah 10 October 2022 School Choice Goals for this Milestone 1. What are the rules of the organization that influenced and impacted the decision, policy, program Rules for school choice depend on the state and local school board. There are many options that parents can choose for school choice. What seems to impact school choice primarily is preferences. For example, according to the Code of Virginia, Title 22.1 rules depend on the type of school, whether public, private, charter or homeschooled. The U.S. offers “open enrollment” to all students (Davis, 2013, p.34). 1. How did those impacted by this decision have input into the decision? Parents have input in school choice in deciding what schooling option is best for their children. Districts for public schools must notify parents if their child can transfer schools and provide opportunities for “low-income families” (U.S. Department of Education, 2009). In general, the state must give parents all information so parents can choose the best schooling option. So, parents’ input in school choice seems to be based on what the government allows. 1. Which groups or people are most impacted by these decisions or policies? The groups of people most impacted by school choice are low-income families and families with special-needs students. With school choice, parents with special-need children can determine what public school or other school option would be best for their education. School choice benefits families in this situation, but low-income families may have fewer options. The best option is using “state-approved supplemental educational services providers in the area” (U.S. Department of Education, 2009). So, while they have some options, they are still limited to the school in their district. For example, it can be more challenging for low-income families to send their children to a private school as costs increase. 1. What are some of the unintended consequences of these decisions or policies? Some of the unintended consequences of school choice can be segregation. According to Harvard’s Graduate School of Education research, “Researchers found that many parents choose magnet schools on the basis of racial composition and cultural similarity” (1995), based on data from Montgomery County, Maryland. There is a pull for white parents to choose schools with “higher white enrollment,” and the same for black parents(Harvard Graduate School of Education, 1995). School choice doesn’t want to segregate but is built to include all racial backgrounds. Concept Questions 1. Is there a voting aspect to this policy? If not directly maybe indirectly (maybe there was not a vote about the actual policy but the decision makers were voted on) There isn’t a vote for school choice, but the decision-makers for school choice are voted on. In a particular aspect, polls are taken on what parents would prefer, and those polls help determine school choice. Most data shows that parents are for school choice; according to one source, “52% of parents considered finding a new or different school for at least one of their children within the past year”(National School Choice Week Team, 2022). 2. What were the elections like? Are the decision makers truly representative of the group (even if there was not an election) There aren’t any elections for school choice. It depends on the policymakers; for example, Virginia governor Youngkin supports school choice. 3. What are the compromises and being made? Is there resistance to the policy? How stable is the policy? Could it be changed with just a few votes? I would say the policy is stable as it seems most U.S. parents support school choice. 4. Do some involved seem to have disproportionate influence on the outcome? If so, who and why? I don’t believe anyone involved has a disproportionate influence on the outcome. References Davis, J. (2013). School Choice in the States: A Policy Landscape. Council of Chief State School Officers. https://doi.org/https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED542701 Studies show school choice widens inequality: Popular among parents, but little evidence that children learn more. Harvard Graduate School of Education. (1995). Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/95/07/studies-show-school-choice-widens-inequality-popular-among-parents-little-evidence Team, N. S. C. W. (2022, May 9). Survey shows: More than half of American families look(ING) for a new school - Winter 2022. National School Choice Week. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://schoolchoiceweek.com/how-parents-feel-about-school-choices-2022/#:~:text=69%20percent%20of%20parents%20say,Latino%20parents%20(72%20percent). US Department of Education (ED). (2009, January 14). School choices for parents. Home. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://www2.ed.gov/parents/schools/choice/definitions.html Virginia School Choice Week. Seal Pin for 74. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/proclamations/proclamation-list/virginia-school-choice-week.html Virginia law. Code of Virginia Code - Chapter 14. Pupils. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title22.1/chapter14/ Virginia law. Code of Virginia Code - Chapter 14. Pupils. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title22.1/chapter14/

You bring up some great points, some that I often forget when I think of pollution. For example, countless animals die each year because we usually do not care about how we discard things. I believe that instead of forgetting how many animals die each year, as I’m sure I’m not the only one, it has become part of life. We often do not even realize the effects of pollution because we are so focused on what we are doing. In a way, I think it could be seen that society is selfish. We don’t seem to think about the consequences of our actions. As you said in your post, being a steward of Christ means taking care of what we are given. Thank you for your post.

I had little knowledge of Nigeria’s economy before reading your post, but while reading your post, I started thinking about how the economy could improve. As you said that the South does better than the North. Perhaps there are ways for the Christian South to provide better healthcare, for example, to the North. I think it would be an excellent way for Christians to show their obedience to Christ and His love by helping those in need who may not know who Christ is. Of course, this should be universal for Christians anywhere. I thought that if there was a stronger unison of Christians, the economy could improve too. Thank you for your post.

Hi Josh, you made some excellent points about student loan forgiveness. I agree that students can take out loans because of this. It is the fact that people assume something will be given to them, but they don’t look at the long-term effects loan forgiveness could have, maybe not for an individual but for society. The more loans that are pulled out, the more the government has to forgive, and the more people rely on the government, the less they will want to work or be productive. I think it could even affect the way students perform in school. Overall, you brought up some great thoughts in your post.

Hi Ashley, thank you for the points that you brought up. I like that you said Biden “romanticizes political agendas.” I had not that of it before, but it makes much sense. I agree that there should be more encouragement to work. I find that more and more people are becoming lazy about working and are not putting in as much effort as they are capable of. Honestly, the encouragement to work less is stopping us from the possibility of reaching our full potential. When we are productive in a healthy way, it benefits us personally and society as a whole. Overall, I think your post has some great ideas.