Anchor Papers ~ Government ~ Item 43


	Item 43 Anchor Papers

Read the news article excerpt below..

“Residents in southwestern Allegany County wanted their area to become part of neighboring Garrett County. Under the state constitution, the Maryland legislature must pass a law before a county's borders can be changed....”
–from an article in Sunpapers, 12/2/98

Describe what actions these Allegany residents could take to influence the government on this issue.
Which of these actions would be most effective? Explain why.
Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. Fragments of basic ideas are presented (talk to state representative; propose a law), but the ideas are skeletal and incomplete.
Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. Although fragments of basic ideas are provided (protest; raise money; write to government), the ideas are fragmented, skeletal, and incomplete.
Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response shows knowledge of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Basic ideas are presented (form a petition and have many people sign it; pose the idea to the legislature; form an interest group to persuade other residents and the legislature).
Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response shows knowledge of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Basic ideas (petition; peacefully assemble; bring it to attention of representative; would show the government how many people want this change) are provided with a little support (without enough signatures agreeing, the change would not be a good idea anyway).
Score Level 3 Anchor Paper
This response shows some understanding of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Concepts are accurate and supported (sign a petition; start a PAC and hire a lobbyist; host a rally and get key government officials to attend). Some evidence of higher order thinking skills is provided through appropriate application of analysis (petition is simplest and could not destroy your cause) and comparison/contrast (rally might get out of control; PACs are expensive and take a lot of effort).
Score Level 3 Anchor Paper
This response shows some understanding of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Accurate concepts are supported (contact their representative from the Maryland House and ask him to propose the needed law; contact their representative from the Maryland Senate). Appropriate application of comparison/contrast (representative in the House represents the district, while the senator represents a larger section of the county) and cause-and-effect reasoning (the representative would care more about their personal needs) show some evidence of higher order thinking skills.
Score Level 4 Anchor Paper
This response shows understanding of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Accurate concepts are well supported (one representative has to introduce a bill, and a majority of other members must support it so the bill will pass both houses and be signed into law; lobbyists are professional and know who to talk to; sending a lot of letters to representatives or collecting signatures on a petition both show that the proposed change has a lot of support). Extended application of analysis and evaluation (representatives from Alleghany and Garrett counties should be contacted first, but all Assembly members should be persuaded; lobbyists are expensive, and the county residents may be poor or too few; there are cheaper ways to get the ear of the government) and comparison and contrast (writing letters and circulating a petition are both free, but a petition is only one item, while a lot of letters flooding the capitol's mailroom has more impact) demonstrate powerful evidence of higher order thinking skills.
Score Level 4 Anchor Paper
This response shows understanding of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Concepts are accurate and well supported (protesting in government work areas and holding rallies; a petition gets the point across because issues can be expressed in detail; every citizen can write a letter). Powerful evidence of higher order thinking skills is demonstrated by application of comparison/contrast (overt versus passive actions) and extended analysis and evaluation (overt actions are not very effective; the more effective methods are passive actions; by getting every citizen to write a letter, a plethora of ideas can be expressed, and it shows that the beliefs are individualized as well as joined).

Anchor Papers ~ Government ~ Item 43

Read the news article excerpt below..

Describe what actions these Allegany residents could take to influence the government on this issue.
Which of these actions would be most effective? Explain why.
Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. Fragments of basic ideas are presented (talk to state representative; propose a law), but the ideas are skeletal and incomplete.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. Although fragments of basic ideas are provided (protest; raise money; write to government), the ideas are fragmented, skeletal, and incomplete.

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response shows knowledge of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Basic ideas are presented (form a petition and have many people sign it; pose the idea to the legislature; form an interest group to persuade other residents and the legislature).

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response shows knowledge of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Basic ideas (petition; peacefully assemble; bring it to attention of representative; would show the government how many people want this change) are provided with a little support (without enough signatures agreeing, the change would not be a good idea anyway).

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This response shows some understanding of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Concepts are accurate and supported (sign a petition; start a PAC and hire a lobbyist; host a rally and get key government officials to attend). Some evidence of higher order thinking skills is provided through appropriate application of analysis (petition is simplest and could not destroy your cause) and comparison/contrast (rally might get out of control; PACs are expensive and take a lot of effort).

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This response shows some understanding of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Accurate concepts are supported (contact their representative from the Maryland House and ask him to propose the needed law; contact their representative from the Maryland Senate). Appropriate application of comparison/contrast (representative in the House represents the district, while the senator represents a larger section of the county) and cause-and-effect reasoning (the representative would care more about their personal needs) show some evidence of higher order thinking skills.

Score Level 4 Anchor Paper

This response shows understanding of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Accurate concepts are well supported (one representative has to introduce a bill, and a majority of other members must support it so the bill will pass both houses and be signed into law; lobbyists are professional and know who to talk to; sending a lot of letters to representatives or collecting signatures on a petition both show that the proposed change has a lot of support). Extended application of analysis and evaluation (representatives from Alleghany and Garrett counties should be contacted first, but all Assembly members should be persuaded; lobbyists are expensive, and the county residents may be poor or too few; there are cheaper ways to get the ear of the government) and comparison and contrast (writing letters and circulating a petition are both free, but a petition is only one item, while a lot of letters flooding the capitol's mailroom has more impact) demonstrate powerful evidence of higher order thinking skills.

Score Level 4 Anchor Paper

This response shows understanding of ways citizens can attempt to get a state law passed. Concepts are accurate and well supported (protesting in government work areas and holding rallies; a petition gets the point across because issues can be expressed in detail; every citizen can write a letter). Powerful evidence of higher order thinking skills is demonstrated by application of comparison/contrast (overt versus passive actions) and extended analysis and evaluation (overt actions are not very effective; the more effective methods are passive actions; by getting every citizen to write a letter, a plethora of ideas can be expressed, and it shows that the beliefs are individualized as well as joined).