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Sample Student Template
Standard
Students will evaluate the impact of governmental decisions and actions
that have affected the rights of individuals and groups and have affected
maintaining order and/or safety.
Model for Analysis
This year the state government will review the controversial state law
requiring that helmets be worn by all motorcycle riders. After hearing
testimony from interested groups, legislators are expected to vote on
whether or not to renew this law.
Q. What
is the main issue?
A. Should
motorcycle riders be required to wear helmets?
Q. Define
specific vocabulary needed to understand this issue.
A. Actuary tables--data showing life expectancy and risk factors.
Q. Identify all possible
positions on this issue. Which two are the key opposing sides?
A. Motorcycle riders who do not want to wear helmets and officials
(health, police, insurance) who want helmets required.
Find
all of the facts that support one position.
Pro-law: It would save lives and prevent serious injuries (show
statistics of lives saved by helmets).
Find
all of the facts that support the opposite position.
Anti-law: It should be a personal decision (show statistics where helmets
did not make a difference).
Q.
What beliefs/values are in conflict in this issue?
A. Freedom of choice versus health and safety
?
Take
a position on the issue. Explain why you chose this position.
I believe that statistics show how helmets help prevent death or injury.
Q.
How could you influence others to support your position?
A. I
would have other teens sign a petition in favor of the law and send it to my
delegate in Annapolis.
Q. What steps did you use to
analyze this issue?
A. I looked at the evidence on both sides and decided which was more
persuasive.
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