Based on decades of research and experience concerning how average citizens think and talk about issues, Public Agenda's Choicework dialogue materials are designed to help groups and communities talk productively about public problems.

Choicework dialogue materials present alternative perspectives on an issue, highlighting the pros, cons and tradeoffs of going down different paths. They use everyday language, not professional jargon, and focus on the kinds of concerns and values that non-experts can readily engage. Public Agenda's choicework dialogue materials are all available in print versions, and many have corresponding 10-12 minutes videos as well. In many cases Spanish language versions are also available. Print choicework guides are available for free PDF download, while videos may be ordered from Public Agenda for $20.00 each.

	Ready for 21st Century Careers: Making Sure Students Get the Math, Engineering, Technology and Science Education They’ll Need to Succeed in the New Economy (Available in video and print format. Spanish language version available) Whether they’re planning to attend a four-year university, a two-year degree program or enter an on-the-job training program, today’s students will be living in a world of rapid technological change where more and more good jobs and promising careers will require a solid background in math, engineering, technology and science (METS). Unfortunately, recent studies suggest that we are not doing a good enough job teaching METS subjects to today’s students. How can we change these trends and make sure that all students who graduate from our high schools have the METS education they’ll need? We examine three approaches: Invest in great teachers: skilled, enthusiastic teachers with a deep knowledge of their subject area are the key to helping students master METS subjects. Better accountability: the key to better results is demanding more of our teachers, students and schools through a strong and smart system of accountability. 21st century curriculum: a challenging, engaging, world-class METS curriculum that will help students meet the challenges of today’s world is the real key to student success.
	Creating a Formula for Success in Low-Performing Schools (Available in video and print format; Spanish language version available.) Too many schools have students who are just getting by, or failing to learn much at all. We look at four hypothetical school communities and their different approaches to boosting student achievement: Set high expectations and hold schools accountable. Increase resources for classroom essentials. Increase parent and community involvement. Ensure effective leadership.
	Everybody Ready for School: How Can we Ensure High Quality Early Childhood Programs? ((Available in video and print format)) Many educators, parents and researchers agree that high quality "school readiness" programs can help youngsters be more successful later on in school and in life. But preschool programs vary widely in quality. How can we make sure that all preschool programs provide safe and enriching environments that do a good job preparing children for school? In other words, how can we make sure all preschool programs are of the highest possible quality? Fund programs more adequately and equitably Create standards and accountability Give parents more choice
	Helping All Students Succeed in a Diverse Society (Available in video and print format; Spanish language version available.) Sometimes particular groups of students across a district are achieving at lower levels than others. In a society as diverse as ours, how can we best help all children succeed in school? We examine three approaches: Raise expectations, demand excellence of all students, and have higher standards for student achievement. Increase parental and community involvement and help students with social problems that distract them from learning. Ensure a safe and respectful learning environment.
	Making Standards Work for All Students (Available in video and print format.) Most states are establishing some form of academic standards--goals for student learning that define what students should know and be able to do at different stages of their school careers. However, while many people agree with standards in principle, they often have very different ideas about how to make them work in practice: Focus on accountability, quality testing and incentives. Focus on providing needed resources and support. Focus on flexibility and local control.
	Neighborhood Schools and Student Diversity (Available in video and print format; Spanish language version available.) Most families would like to send their children to good, safe schools close to home yet feel it's important for children of different backgrounds to go to school together so they can expand their horizons by learning about each other's cultures. How do we balance these competing values? We look at three hypothetical communities, each one taking a different approach: Focus on academics and not diversity. Pursue diversity through school policies. Pursue integration and diversity in the community, not through the schools.
	The No Child Left Behind Legislation (Available in video and print format.) Will NCLB's accountability system lead to higher achievement for all students? Or, are changes needed to meet the goal of leaving no student behind? To help you and your neighbors decide for yourselves, we've created a discussion guide with three different approaches to NCLB. Stay the course and give accountability under NCLB time to work Increase needed resources so schools have a realistic chance to succeed under NCLB Change NCLB's approach to accountability to make it more flexible and constructive
	Parental Involvement (Available in video and print format.) Most parents and educators agree that parental involvement is crucial for schools to be successful. But how much involvement? We look at three schools, each taking a different approach to parental involvement: Parents help run the school by serving on a school management council with teachers and the principal. Parents are asked to support their children's education at home in close cooperation with the school. Parents are encouraged to attend parent-teacher conferences and open houses, and help with school fund raising.
	Purposes of Education (Available in video and print format.) What should be the focus of education? What should be the reigning function of our schools? We examine three different school boards and their priorities: Prepare students for success in the job market. Widen students' horizons and help them develop a love of learning. Educate students to be responsible citizens.
	School Choice (Available in video and print format.) Some people think that parents and students ought to be offered educational alternatives to the traditional public school system through voucher or charter school programs. We look at both alternatives, as well as the choice to concentrate our energies on improving the traditional school system. Vouchers: Families use money that would have gone to the public school system to help them cover the cost of sending their children to private school instead. Charter: Independently operated public schools, created by teachers, parents or others. Traditional: With smart policies, strong leadership, adequate resources, and community involvement, public school reform can succeed.
	School Funding (Available in video and print format.) School funding is one of the most controversial issues facing many districts today. Do schools have the funds necessary to do a good job, or are they limited by their budgets? We look at two very different approaches: Educating our kids should be our top priority, and schools need more money to do the job right. While educating our kids should be a top priority, schools don't need more money, they need to use their money better.
	School Safety (Available in video and print format.) Different approaches to school safety will have different benefits and different costs and challenges. We examine three school communities and the way each addresses this issue: Teach students to resolve conflicts peacefully and provide social services to those in need. Set behavioral standards with clear consequences and hold students and their parents accountable. Enhance school security, and reinforce this in the community.
	Teacher Quality (Available in video and print format; Spanish language version available.) Most people would agree that you can't have good schools without good teachers, and that it's crucial to ensure there is a quality teacher in every classroom. This conversation is an effort to generate ideas about how to do that, beginning with these ideas: Require more thorough preparation for those who want to be teachers. Improve the working environment for teachers in the classroom. Attract more talented people to the field and get the most out of them through better pay and smarter incentives.
	Teaching Methods (Available in video and print format.) Are the "tried and true" teaching methods that we grew up with the best way to help today's kids learn, or are there new, innovative approaches that work better? We take a look at two school districts that use different teaching methods in their schools. Traditional methods: Classes are conducted in a traditional teaching style, with an emphasis on lectures and note-taking. Innovative methods: Classes emphasize discussion more than lecture, and students are encouraged to participate.

	Facing the Challenges of Climate Change: A Guide for Citizen Thought and Action (Available in print format;) Climate change is a serious issue and a topic that many citizens believe we need to address. But where do we start? This discussion guide provides alternative arguments about the best way to address the problem of climate change. Using this framework can help citizens grapple with the choices and tradeoffs involved. The discussion guide is designed to help citizens decide on the policies and practices we should develop to meet the challenges of climate change. The three approaches presented in the guide are: Strong government action to prevent and minimize the worst consequences of climate change. Help vulnerable communities adapt to the consequences of climate change. Trust the free market to lead the way in the search for solutions.
	Child Care (Available in video and print format; Spanish language version available.) Should we encourage a parent to stay home even if it means a loss of financial security or a slow down in their career? What if there's only one parent or if a family simply can't live on one income? What kinds of child care policies by government and employers would be the most helpful to today's families? We examine three approaches: Help parents take care of their own children. Provide quality, affordable child-care options for those parents who need the most help. Provide comprehensive, quality child care for all families.
	Oceans for Everyone: A Dialogue on Seattle, the Sound and the Seas in the 21st Century (Available in print format.) What can and should be done about the state of the Sound and the oceans? How should we address these issues? And how can science help us? Science is clearly vital to understanding these sorts of problems and their potential solutions. Science, however, cannot solve all our problems by itself-it takes regular citizens, along with policymakers, public institutions and businesses, to create real change. In today's discussion, we will explore the problems facing the Sound and how citizens can work together with scientists and policymakers to address them. To help get the discussion going, we have suggested three different approaches to addressing the challenges facing Seattle, the Sound and the Seas in the 21st Century. Which do you think makes the most sense and why? Change how Seattle's citizens and businesses use the ocean. Invest in technologies and infrastructure to solve problems facing the waterways. Accept some environmental stress so that Seattle can remain a true port city.
	Understanding Property Tax Reform in New Jersey (Available in video and print format. Created for a statewide discussion forum in New Jersey on taxes.) This guide is intended to help citizens in New Jersey take stock of the taxes in their state and talk about how to improve the system. It will help answer the question: What is the best way to raise the resources for the public services we decide we want? Which approach, or which parts of several approaches, are most important for policy makers to concentrate on in their efforts to improve the tax system: We should stick with what we've got, a tax system that maximizes local control while using state assistance to address problems. We should take the state out of the picture and let each community solve its own problems. We should give towns new ways to raise tax revenues and control costs. We should create a more equitable system by relying more on statewide taxes and less on the property tax.

	Ensuring School Safety (Available in print format.) Everyone wants schools that are safe, where students, teachers and support staff can concentrate on learning and not have to worry about crime and violence. In this community dialogue, you'll be asked to discuss your ideas on the best way to ensure that schools are safe places for children to learn and grow. Different approaches to school safety will have different benefits and different costs and challenges. To help you and your neighbors decide what is most important to you, we've created three hypothetical school communities, each of which has approached the issue of school safety in a different way. Which would you want for your own community and schools, and why? Teach students to resolve conflicts peacefully and provide social services to those in need Set behavioral standards with clear consequences and make students and their parents accountable Enhance school security and reinforce this in the community
	Improving Police/Community Relations (Available in print format; Spanish language version available.) It seems to be a reality of modern urban life that, from time to time, tensions can develop between law enforcement and community members or groups. Given this reality, it is worth doing some thinking about the best ways to prevent these tensions from developing in the first place, and of resolving them when they do. We've developed a framework that offers three contrasting approaches to improving police-community relations. Which makes the most sense for this community--and why? We should work to: Improve police accountability Increase mutual understanding Build healthier communities
	Preventing Terrorism and Promoting Civil Liberties (Available in print format.) Local law enforcement plays a critical role in the fight against terrorism. Officers identify and guard likely targets, generate intelligence through informants, undercover work and technology, and coordinate with federal authorities. And, should prevention fail, they are among the first responders who try to minimize the damage. How can law enforcement officers be most effective in fighting terrorism? Do they need new powers, technologies and procedures? What role, if any, should the community play in these efforts? Moreover, how should we deal with tradeoffs we might face with respect to our privacy and civil liberties? How can infringement on civil liberties be avoided, or at least minimized, while we work to maintain our security? The community should support the police in their efforts to prevent terrorism The community should act as a watchdog to ensure that civil liberties are protected as the police fight terrorism The community should be an active partner with the police in efforts to fight terrorism and protect civil liberties
	Working Together to Promote Public Safety (Available in print format.) There are a variety of strategies that can guide a police department in its efforts to prevent crime and promote public safety. Some of these strategies may be more effective for a given community than others. To help you better understand the range of strategies that police departments can use, we've created a discussion guide that reviews three key approaches. Improve police procedures for solving serious crime Do sweat the small stuff Partner with the community to fight crime

Public Conversations about the Public's Schools Video This 10-minute video serves as an introduction to public engagement in an education context, and illustrates how Choicework forums can be used to create civil and productive community conversations involving diverse participants. Order here.

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