Strengthen Critical Thinking Abilities with our Public Policy Programs

Our philosophy is based on the belief that the best policy decision-makers have acute critical thinking skills, effective writing techniques, and excellent research and data analysis abilities. Program offerings strengthen participants’ critical thinking abilities, academic/policy writing, leadership, communication, research, and analytical skills. Lesson plans will draw upon a variety of materials and methodologies to build students’ knowledge and prepare them for public policy education and training in the classroom that ends with real-world professional development opportunities.

Program Strategies

Policy Pathways' educational programs encourage students to think about and engage in open dialogue regarding complex policy issues and to take action in their communities or society.

Education and Training: Participants are introduced to the field of public policy research and analysis through discussions of contemporary policy issues and challenges. Lesson plans are structured around critical thinking activities that incorporate factual, conceptual, procedural, and metacognitive approaches to knowledge acquisition (Anderson and Krathwohl, 2001), as well as multicultural education and non-cognitive skill development activities (Ecker-Lyster & Niileksela, 2017). Instructors and presenters are noted professors, recognized professionals with real-world policy experience, and leading policy decision-makers, thinkers and writers, and advocates in their fields.

Project-based Model:
The curriculum is designed to help participants develop critical thinking skills by working collaboratively to identify problems that were either created as a result of policy decisions or problems that they believe the actions of policymakers could address. Tackling policy-related problems builds skills and talents and fosters interests in policy areas.

Research and Writing:
Participants are encouraged to conduct research and write articles, editorials, and manuscripts for publication.

Advocacy:
Participants are provided with training in a variety of strategies to debate their positions, advocate for policy change, and educate policymakers and key stakeholders.

Professional Development:
Participants are encouraged to engage in learning, service, and community initiatives that sharpen their leadership skills and abilities.

Goals

Our goals are to (1) strengthen the links between underrepresented student populations, policy research and analysis, and undergraduate programs and public policy communities; and (2) provide high‐level research and analysis to support policymakers and practitioners and expand educational opportunity to all students.

Our programs help students and participants become more aware of how legislative decisions and public policies impact groups and communities and better prepare for the transition to undergraduate and graduate public policy, public affairs, public service, and public administration and management programs, as well as policy-related programs in other academic disciplines, such as law, health, business, and education.

Policy and Society Year-Round College Preparatory Program Capstone Projects

Spring 2021 Shaping our Future: Policy Pathways

Spring 2022 Shaping our Future: Policy Pathways

POLICY AND SOCIETY YEAR-ROUND COLLEGE PREPARATORY PROGRAM

Our “Policy and Society” year-round curriculum is a modular public-policy course that aligns with Virginia Standards of Learning assessments in Civics and Economics; Probability and Statistics; Economics and Personal Finance; and English, as well as the five core competencies needed for graduation: Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Citizenship.

The curriculum affords the synergy of integrated themes and the progression of skills development as students complete modules and workshops focused on three types of understanding: conceptual, scaffolding (i.e., the integration of skills across new conceptual frameworks), and analyzing. In addition to enriching already-existing curricula at high schools, “Policy and Society” helps schools meet academic, equity, and student satisfaction goals. The program’s curriculum, faculty, and structure can help reduce absenteeism, improve graduation rates, and increase the number of students enrolling in two-year and four-year colleges and universities.

But above all, “Policy and Society” gives students the tools, intellectual as well as practical, to succeed academically and envision themselves as making a difference in the world. They will understand, too, how to use their skills to foster a more equitable and inclusive future for the region, the state, and the nation. The course, rigorous yet sensitive to the educational and social needs of students at varying levels of performance, will supplement their knowledge and experience and encourage academic and professional accomplishment.

Program Outcomes

After completing a semester of Policy and Society College Prep Program, students should:

1. Be able to think critically about and apply critical reflection techniques to policy issues;
2. Have acquired knowledge of key policy formation processes and theories;
3. Be familiar with advocacy strategies and approaches;
4. Be able to think critically about and engage in basic policy analysis;
5. Have acquired an introduction to public policy statistics, economics, and research methods;
6. Have completed at least one written document for publication on a blog or in a magazine, newspaper, or journal; and
7. Have increased preparation and confidence to pursue policy-focused degree programs and careers.

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SUMMER ACADEMY FOR POLICY LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC SERVICE

The Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service (SAO) is a program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors; recent high school graduates; and college students, age 15 - 25, who strive for academic excellence. The Summer Academy combines fun with intensive learning. Each rigorous but rewarding two-week session offers public-policy coursework. Top professors, policy experts, and leading decision-makers introduce program participants to policy formation and analysis, economics, public administration, research methods, and statistics, as well as critical thinking, advocacy, and effective, readable writing. Course contact hours will exceed those in a standard 16-week (3 credit- hour) semester course.

The Summer Academy is a distance learning program that provides instruction, facilitates workshops, and coordinates group activities and interactions remotely. We are happy that we can offer our exciting, engaging, and timely program through a virtual platform for youth who are interested in public policies and their impacts on individuals, organizations, and communities!

The two-week session will offer engaging and rewarding public policy course work. Top professors in their fields, policy experts, and leading decision-makers will introduce program participants to policy formation and analysis, economics, public administration, research methods, and statistics, as well as critical thinking, advocacy, and writing strategies. Course content will focus on real-world policy issues and offer opportunities to research, design, and conduct policy-related projects through capstone teams. Program participants will have the opportunity to interact extensively with faculty members and classmates in virtual classrooms.

The Summer Academy offers three Specialty Workshops that focus on critical thinking, advocacy, and writing. Summer Academy participants are provided with innovative instruction to enhance and test their abilities to translate theories into practice in real-world situations. Through a session in critical thinking, students are  challenged to approach and think about policy issues in new ways. Research Methods is a foundational course that is designed to equip students with the skills to collect, manage, and interpret data. Policy Studies I introduces participants to the policymaking process, and Policy Studies II presents participants with the contents for policy analysis. Statistics is taught as an independent course as well as integrated into the curriculum of other core courses. Economics  introduces participants to economic terms, theories, and models that are foundational for understanding public policy issues, and our Public Administration course introduces participants to various aspects of government administration.

Summer Academy Capstone Projects

Summer Academy 2020

Summer Academy 2021

Summer Academy 2022

Summer Academy 2023

Summer Academy 2024

The Summer Academy introduces program participants to the exciting and dynamic field of policy studies through an online platform where course instruction and materials are delivered electronically. Program participants are challenged to exercise their critical thinking and leadership abilities by applying their skills to contemporary real-world policy issues and finding their voice through advocacy and writing. Lesson plans consist of lectures, workshops, group discussions, small group exercises, guest speakers, and other learning and interactive modalities. Summer Academy instructors are highly qualified, with over half holding earned doctoral degrees in their fields. Program participants have the opportunity to interact extensively with faculty members and classmates in virtual classrooms.

Arrival Day Schedule Sunday, June 23, 2024

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Participant Check-In (Audio/Camera Checks)
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Welcome/Program Overview
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Class/Workshop
5:00 p.m. End of Day

Typical Weekday Schedule

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. (Computer Audio/Camera Checks)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Morning Class
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Afternoon Class

Departure Day Schedule Saturday, July 6, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Final Class Meeting
12:00 p.m. The Summer Academy Program Concludes

Schedule is subject to change.

Enrollment Process

The Summer Academy extended application due date is Saturday, May 25, 2024. Late applications will be considered on a space-available basis. Participants will be selected, and notifications will be mailed by Saturday, June 1, 2024.

Apply to the Summer Academy by creating a My Path participant account. Use your My Path login ID and password to complete the streamlined application process. Fill in the digital application and select Summer Academy as your program choice. Application fees and tuition can be paid using the PayPal Payment button. You also may mail your application and tuition and fees using the U.S. postal service.

There are no prerequisites to enroll in The Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service Online.

Financial Aid
Please be aware that we have limited financial assistance available. Families and participants interested in being considered for financial aid are encouraged to indicate their preference by accessing your My Path account and responding to the financial assistance question on the Summer Academy Participant Application Form.

Technical Requirements

Participants enrolled in Summer Academy will need a computer with broadband Internet access and a current web browser. A headset, speakers, and a microphone, along with Zoom, the video conferencing platform that will allow participants interaction with instructors and other students during real-time class sessions.

Participants will need an email address and Microsoft Word and Excel. Additional plugins may need to be installed on your computer or web browser to support the viewing of videos and the sharing of work and submitting assignments. Please be aware that some software may not work properly on iPads and tablets.

Computer Hardware & Web Browsers

• Computers or devices using Windows 10 or macOS 19.13 operation systems
• Current web browsers, including:
  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Explorer 11 in Windows 10
  • Safari for Mac computers and devices

Your Browser
Please make sure that your browser is up to date. Your internet browser should be configured to:

• Enable cookies
• Enable JavaScript
• Allow pop-up windows
• Allow plugins when needed

Software
Additional software may be needed, and is described within the details of each module:

• Adobe Reader – other PDF viewers not supported
• Adobe Flash player. Flash-based courses will not work with most tablets
• Microsoft Word or other compatible software, such as Google Docs
• Excel
• Zoom

Technical Support
If you have problems accessing the public policy course, please contact Summer Academy administrative staff.