Making government decisions
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Introduction
In this activity, students use a decision-making strategy to decide what the government should do when faced with a dilemma. They learn to use the PACED grid decision-making strategy to support their decision-making. Students learn that if the government wants to keep its budget in balance, additional spending on one public good will require compensatory action, such as reduced spending on other public goods and/or an increase in taxes.
Achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students explain how markets operate and recognise why governments may influence the market’s operation. They explain the rights and responsibilities of consumers and businesses in terms of financial and economic decision-making. They explain why different types of businesses exist and describe the different ways businesses can respond to opportunities in the market. Students describe influences on the way people work and factors that may affect work in the future.
When researching, students develop questions and gather relevant data and information from different sources to investigate an economic or business issue. They interpret data to identify trends and relationships. They propose a range of alternative responses to an issue and evaluate the costs and benefits of each alternative. They apply economics and business knowledge, skills and concepts to familiar and unfamiliar problems. Students develop and present evidence-based conclusions using appropriate texts, subject-specific language and concepts. They identify the effects of an economic or business decision and the potential consequences of alternative actions.
Content descriptions
Economics and Business Knowledge and Understanding
The ways markets in Australia operate to enable the distribution of resources, and why they may be influenced by government (ACHEK027).
Economics and Business Skills
Generate a range of alternatives in response to an observed economic or business issue or event, and evaluate the potential costs and benefits of each alternative (ACHES035).
Apply economics and business knowledge, skills and concepts in familiar and new situations (ACHES036).
Teacher resources
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Decision-making strategy
Student learning resources
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Making government decisions
Suggested activity sequence
This sequence is intended as a framework to be modified and adapted by teachers to suit the needs of a class group.
- Display and explain the information on the visualiser. The visualiser provides a step-by-step guide to using the PACED grid as a tool for decision-making. Explain each step as you display the visualiser.
- Tell students that they will now apply this strategy to making a government decision.
- Use a grouping strategy to organise students into groups of 4.
- Groups follow the group instructions to make a decision and engage in a discussion about their choice.
- Groups share their statements with the class.
- Invite students to individually reflect:
- How do the statements differ?
- What sort of a problem would this pose for any government and the people in the community?
- How important are people involved in the health sector, (and other parts of our community) to work to provide good feedback to the government to ensure the correct services are able to be offered?