Public Policy Questions

Why would government officials work with stakeholders to come up with possible solutions to issues?

In the 2017 legislative session,a. legislation was passed that would grade schools on three dimensions: student progress, student achievement, and a "closing the gaps" measure.b. teacher pay was increased by statuary formula to include biannual cost of living raises.c. the "no pass, no play" rule was eliminated for nonathletic extracurricular activities.d. legislation was passed requiring the STAAR test in only nine courses.

The Select Committee on Public Education (SCOPE) presented 140 recommendations to the legislature in 1984, including one known as "no pass, no play" which stated thata. students who did not pass more than one class with a grade of 70 could not participate in extracurricular activities for the next three weeks, but could still attend athletic practices.b. students who did not pass a class with a grade of 70 could not participate in athletic/sports activities for the next six-week grading period.c. students who did not pass a class with a grade of 70 were required to attend after school tutoring sessions.d. students who did not pass a class with a grade of 70 could not participate in extracurricular activities for the next six-week grading period.

Under the Gilmer-Aikin Laws,a. the State Board of Education was established to supervise public education in Texas.b. the State Board of Education was abolished for being redundant and in competition with the federal Department of Education.c. the Religious Antidiscrimination Act was repealed.d. the State Board of Education members are appointed, not elected.

The Robin Hood plan was found unconstitutional because it requireda. approval from school superintendents and teachers.b. approval from the school board and voters.c. approval from individual cities.d. local voter approval of property tax levies and it prohibited a state property tax.

In March 2010, Congress passed ________, substantially altering the nation's health care system.a. No Child Left Behind b. the Affordable Care Act c. the National Women's Health Actd. the Dream Act

Which agency is responsible for administering and coordinating the major welfare and antipoverty programs in Texas?a. Texas Health and Human Services Commissionb. Texas Social Services Commissionc. Texas Assistance Commissiond. Texas Department of Health and Rehabilitation

In an attempt to stem the rising tide of illegitimacy rates and single-parent families among the poor, which act mandated two-parent coverage for all state AFDC programs?a. the Family Support Act in 1988b. the Supplemental Security Incomec. the Affordable Care Actd. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

Which program provides coverage for children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid?a. Children's Health Insurance Programb. Federal Medical Assistance Programc. Affordable Care Actd. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Welfare reforms are measured along which two dimensions?a. the number of people receiving welfare and the crime rateb. waste and fraud within each welfare programc. the number of people on welfare and the success of getting people into the workforced. the number of welfare recipients who continued receiving welfare benefits for more than five years versus those who received benefits for a shorter period of time

Unless legally exempt, in order to receive benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, recipients musta. agree to repay the money after they gain employment, since it is a federal loan.b. not accept any other form of government assistance, including Medicaid. c. make sure their children go to school, participate in an employment services program, attend parenting classes, get their children vaccinated, and agree not to use drugs or alcohol. d. register to vote, attend any jury summons sent, and fulfill all civic duties requested of them by the state and county.

One of the controversies arising out of the Medicaid Women's Health Program in Texas involveda. religious restrictions imposed upon welfare recipients.b. state monies being used to subsidize groups supporting abortion.c. the funding for having a child in state clinics paid for by Texas taxpayers who were opposed to the procedure.d. health care for poor, unwed mothers.

Federal money for Medicaid programsa. comes to the states as a block grant without any significant restrictions.b. is tied to the number of adults on the welfare rolls in order to reduce the cost of program redundancy.c. is accompanied by federal rules and regulations, which states must comply with to maintain federal funding of the program.d. is administered automatically by the federal government to avoid punishing program recipients.

In 1965, Congress created the Medicaid program, a state-federal program, toa. direct cash payments to citizens living in poverty.b. provide welfare benefits to the general public regardless of income.c. assist Texans with their prescription medications.d. provide health care for the poor.

During the 1980s, a growing number of critics alleged that welfare programsa. had nearly eliminated poverty.b. were helping to create a dysfunctional underclass of people who depended upon them for survival.c. were being abused, mostly by the wealthy.d. benefited only the middle class at the expense of the poorer class.

The generally accepted standard by which poverty is measured in the United States is thea. U.S. Department of Labor unemployment index.b. U.S. Department of Agriculture caloric intake index.c. U.S. Treasury index of income inequality.d. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty index.

Which government entity administered and determined the benefit levels for Aid for Dependent Children, Old Age Assistance, and Aid for the Blind?a. federal b. local c. stated. County

In 2016, approximately what percentage of Texans lived below the poverty line?a. 15 b. 21 c. 28d. 10

In the 1960s, welfare policy in Texas reflecteda. a policy of minimizing the cost to Texas while maximizing the use of federal dollars.b. a policy of maximizing welfare benefits paid by the state of Texas.c. very generous state-funded benefits.d. noncompliance with all federal welfare programs.

How do policy-makers define poverty?a. when an individual or family does not have the resources necessary to meet their basic needs including food, shelter, health care, transportation, and clothingb. when an individual or family does not have the resources necessary to meet their survival needs including food and waterc. when an individual or family does not have the resources necessary to meet their fundamental needs including food, shelter, and clothingd. when an individual or family does not have the resources necessary to meet their vital needs including food, water, and shelter