Critical Analysis of Government Policy or Program
Choose a government response (State or Federal) that is aimed at supporting families at risk, such as a policy or program, and address the
following in your report:
!. An overview of the policy or program including its goals and objectives, target population, and implementation strategies.
“. A critical analysis of the effectiveness of the policy or program including its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT
analysis).

.

$. Recommendations for how the policy or program could be improved to better support families at risk
Your responses should incorporate reference to current literature and relevant theory (minimum five academic references) and
adhere to APA7 referencing style

Assessment 2 Rubric
Criteria Performance Standards
Fail
0-49
Pass
50-64
Credit
65-74
Distinction
75-84
High Distinction
85-100
An overview of the policy
or program including its
goals and objectives,
target population, and
implementation
strategies.
20%
The overview of the
policy/program is
absent or unclear,
and/or irrelevant to the
question.
The overview of the
policy/program is basic
or limited in scope;
lacks clarity, detail or
coherence, and/or the
information provided is
incomplete or contains
errors/inconsistencies.
Minimal integration of
literature.
The overview of the
policy/program is well-
structured, clear and
concise, and provides
a good understanding
of the goals,
objectives, target
population, and
implementation
strategies. Well-
supported by literature.
The overview of the
policy/program is
highly detailed,
comprehensive and
well-structured,
demonstrating a deep
understanding of the
goals, objectives,
target population, and
implementation
strategies. Strong
integration of literature
demonstrating
evidence of critical
analysis and
synthesis.
The overview of the
policy/program is
exceptional,
demonstrating
outstanding insight
and analysis of the
goals, objectives,
target population, and
implementation
strategies. The
overview is rigorous
and thoughtful and
demonstrates
sophisticated
integration of literature.
A critical analysis of the
effectiveness of the policy
or program including its
Limited or no
identification of the
policy/ program’s
strengths,
weaknesses,
Identification of some
of the policy/program’s
strengths,
weaknesses,
opportunities, and
Identification of most
of the policy/
program’s strengths,
weaknesses,
opportunities, and
Comprehensive
identification of the
policy/program’s
strengths,
weaknesses,
A comprehensive and
insightful identification
of the policy/
program’s strengths,
weaknesses,
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strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats
(SWOT analysis).
20%
opportunities, and
threats; limited or no
discussion of the
effectiveness of the
policy or program;
limited or no use of
relevant literature to
support the analysis.
threats; some
discussion of the
effectiveness of the
policy or program; use
of some relevant
literature to support
the analysis
threats; a critical
analysis of the
effectiveness of the
policy or program, with
a well-supported
argument; use of
relevant literature to
support the analysis.
opportunities, and
threats; a well-
developed critical
analysis of the
effectiveness of the
policy or program, with
a convincing argument
supported by relevant
literature.
opportunities, and
threats, with an
original perspective; a
well-developed and
sophisticated critical
analysis of the
effectiveness of the
policy or program, with
a compelling argument
supported by a
breadth of relevant
literature.
An evaluation of the policy
or program’s impact on
families at risk, including
any unintended
consequences or benefits
20%
No evaluation of the
policy/program’s
impact on families at
risk; evaluation lacks
critical analysis and is
not supported by
evidence
Basic evaluation of the
policy/program’s
impact on families at
risk, but lacks critical
analysis; minimal
integration of literature
Clear evaluation of the
policy/program’s
impact on families at
risk with some critical
analysis.
evidence provided to
support the analysis
with appropriate
integration of literature
Detailed and thorough
evaluation of the
policy/program’s
impact on families at
risk with critical
analysis; strong
evidence provided to
support the analysis,
including strong
integration of literature
Exceptional evaluation
of the policy/program’s
impact on families at
risk with
comprehensive and
insightful critical
analysis; robust
evidence provided to
support the analysis,
including sophisticated
integration of literature
Recommendations for how
the policy or program
could be improved to
better support families at
risk
20%
No recommendations
provided or
recommendations are
not relevant to the
policy/program
analysed;
recommendations lack
specificity or are not
feasible.
Recommendations are
provided but lack detail
or specificity.
recommendations are
feasible but do not
address all major
weaknesses identified
in the analysis.
recommendations are
not supported by
evidence or analysis.
Recommendations are
specific, feasible, and
supported by evidence
or analysis.
Recommendations
address most of the
major weaknesses
identified in the
analysis.
Recommendations
consider the needs
and perspectives of
families at risk and
other stakeholders.
Recommendations are
highly specific,
innovative, and
feasible.
Recommendations
address all major
weaknesses identified
in the analysis and
provide a clear
rationale for why they
will be effective.
Recommendations are
supported by a strong
evidence base and
consider the potential
unintended
consequences of
implementation.
Recommendations are
highly specific,
innovative, and
feasible.
Recommendations are
supported by a
comprehensive and
rigorous analysis of
the policy or program
and its impact on
families at risk.
Recommendations are
likely to result in
significant
improvements in the
policy or program and
its outcomes for
families at risk.
Fluent academic writing
with correct spelling,
grammar and punctuation
10%
Numerous errors in
spelling, grammar, and
punctuation that
impede
comprehension;
Basic proficiency in
spelling, grammar, and
punctuation; some
errors in sentence
structure and clarity,
but meaning is
generally clear;
Good proficiency in
spelling, grammar, and
punctuation with few
errors; clear and
concise sentence
structure that is easy
to follow; demonstrates
Very good proficiency
in spelling, grammar,
and punctuation with
no errors;
Exceptional proficiency
in spelling, grammar,
and punctuation with
no errors; outstanding
sentence structure
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poor sentence
structure and lack of
clarity in expression;
use of inappropriate
language and tone for
academic writing
appropriate language
and tone for academic
writing
an understanding of
academic writing
conventions and tone
excellent sentence
structure and clarity
that is engaging and
easy to follow;
demonstrates a strong
understanding of
academic writing
conventions and tone
and clarity that is
engaging and
compelling;
demonstrates a deep
understanding of
academic writing
conventions and tone,
and applies this
knowledge to create a
highly effective piece
of writing
Use of current literature
and relevant theory
(minimum five academic
references) referenced in
accordance with the APA
referencing style
10%
No references provided
or references are not
relevant to the topic;
absence of, or
incorrect use of, APA
referencing style
References provided
but are not all current
or not all relevant to
the topic.
APA referencing style
used with minor errors
or inconsistencies
At least five current
and relevant
references provided
and integrated well into
the essay.
APA referencing style
used accurately and
consistently
More than five current
and relevant
references provided
and used effectively to
support arguments
throughout the essay.
APA referencing style
used expertly and
consistently
More than five current
and highly relevant
references provided
and used expertly to
support arguments
and insights
throughout the essay.
APA referencing style
used impeccably and
consistently,
demonstrating expert-
level skill and
knowledge