La Follette School Workshop Reports
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The Public Affairs Workshops are the capstone courses for the La Follette School's two master's degree programs, the Master of International Public Affairs and the Master of Public Affairs. Workshop students gain practical experience applying the tools of political, economic and statistical analysis they acquired during three semesters of coursework. In addressing actual problems faced by clients in the public, non-governmental and private sectors, the students work closely together in teams to produce carefully crafted reports that meet high professional and academic standards. This culminating project is the equivalent of the thesis for a degree from the La Follette School of Public Affairs. The students produce research-based, analytical, evaluative and prescriptive reports for real-world clients who range from municipal government offices to international development organizations. Through these reports, students contribute to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's outreach mission and to the Wisconsin Idea.
Recent Submissions
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Options for Allocating State Child Welfare Dollars to Wisconsin Counties
(2011)The method by which the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families allocates funds to counties for child protective services may not be optimal for outcomes. This report examines two alternative methods: one based on ... -
China in the Indian Ocean Region: Impacts, Prospects, Opportunities
(2011)Mainland China has increased its activities in the Indian Ocean region by investing in regional states, building ports and infrastructure, and acquiring energy resources. This report analyzes the impact of these activities ... -
Raising the Bar: Refocused Indicators for U.S. Government Assistance to Pakistan
(2011)This report analyzes the effectiveness of U.S. government aid to Pakistan in the wake of the 2009 Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act. It examines the U.S. government?s goals in Pakistan and proposes 23 indicators to ... -
Gender and Economic Development in Millennium Challenge Corporation Indicators: An Assessment and Recommendations
(2011)The Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. agency that dispenses foreign aid to promote development in low-income and lower-middle income countries, reviews its indicators and methodology annually and then implements ... -
401(k) Rollovers and Financial Literacy
(2011)When leaving their jobs, many individuals in the United States roll their retirement savings into individual retirement accounts instead of leaving them in their 401(k) accounts. IRAs can have higher fees, which over time ... -
Exploring Milwaukee Public Library Partnership Opportunities
(2011)This report examines the role that public and academic library partnerships can play in meeting the needs of Milwaukee Public Library?s existing patrons, as well as drawing in a more diverse population of users. Examples ... -
City of Milwaukee: The Collection of Municipal Fees
(2011)This report evaluates Milwaukee?s system for collecting municipal fees to help the city address problems related to delayed payment. After examining the collection process across departments and fees, the study quantitatively ... -
Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles for the City of Milwaukee's Department of Public Works: A Cost-Benefit Analysis
(2011)This report estimates the fiscal and environmental costs and benefits associated with expanding the city of Milwaukee Department of Public Works? use of compressed natural gas garbage trucks. The cost-benefit model ... -
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Advocacy and Legal Advice Centers
(2010-05)Corruption is a significant concern, especially for developing nations. Evidence indicates that high levels of corruption can have negative political, social, and economic repercussions -- all contributing to low levels ... -
Assessing Investment Advice Provided to Participants in Defined Contribution Retirement Plans
(2010)Investment advice is increasingly important as more Americans enroll in defined contribution retirement plans and assume more responsibility for ensuring sufficient retirement income. This report offers the U.S. Government ... -
Understanding Self-Directed Care in Wisconsin: A Comparison of IRIS and Family Care Programs
(2010)IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) is a self-directed long-term-care program offered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This report examines the differences between participants in IRIS and Family Care (a ... -
Evaluation of the U.S. Government Millennium Challenge Corporation "Investing In People" Indicators
(2010)This report evaluates five of the Millennium Challenge Corporation?s seventeen indicators used to score underdeveloped countries and then to distribute foreign aid grants. The authors used the MCC?s indicator criteria as ... -
Economic Development as a Tool to Reduce Secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir
(2010)Conflict and instability in Jammu and Kashmir have been a major hindrance to the Indian state?s development and progress. The current lull in violence presents an opportunity to reduce secessionist sentiment and instability ... -
An Analysis of Food Safety in Wisconsin
(2010)The authors identify two policies to decrease the incidence of food-borne illness and to enhance Wisconsin's food safety system. Their first proposal would mandate quality certification using standards and audits to reduce ... -
Residential Sewer Lateral Maintenance Program Analysis for the City of Milwaukee
(2010)This report analyzes programs that would encourage residential property owners to maintain private sanitary sewer laterals in the City of Milwaukee. The authors recommend implementing a citywide insurance program to give ... -
City of Milwaukee: Construction Mitigation Program
(2010)This report designs a package of construction mitigation services that the City of Milwaukee could implement to limit the negative impact construction projects have on surrounding businesses. After researching such services ... -
Women and Welfare in Wisconsin
(2004) -
Sexual Assault in Wisconsin: An Overview
(2004-05-12)
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