National Government: Shaping Public Policy
Session 5: Carrying Out Public Policy

Materials

• Handout: Levels of Bureaucracy (Attachment B)
• Internet access

Instructional Activities

1. Define and discuss the work of bureaucrats. At all levels of government, bureaucracies conduct the day-to-day operation of government and carry out public policy. Bureaucracies shape the meaning of laws passed by legislatures through rule-making and help to draft new bills for lawmakers.  Some bureaucrats shape policy by providing information and advice to the executive branches of government. 
   
   
2. Provide the following flowchart to guide discussion as students are introduced to the major steps in the policy process:
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Distribute the handout Levels of Bureaucracy (Attachment B). Have students research bureaucracy at all levels of government, using the Web sites listed below:
   <http://www.firstgov.gov/>
   <http://www.vipnet.org/>
   <http://www.gao.gov/>
   <http://www.fedworld.gov/>
   
   Allow students to finish on their own time and submit for a grade.