Question 1

How does the way that Texas government is organized affect public policy? What other influences outside of the government itself affect how policy is made in Texas?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does the way that Texas government...

Question 2

Ninety-five percent of public transportation in Texas is by

Accepted Answer

A)  light rail. 
B)  subway. 
C)  street car. 
D)  bus.

Question 3

Colleges and universities in Texas are most influenced by the

Accepted Answer

A)  Texas Education Agency. 
B)  State Board of Education. 
C)  Permanent University Fund. 
D)  Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Question 4

The Coordinating Board's plan to increase minority enrollment and success in Texas colleges has

Accepted Answer

A)  never been implemented. 
B)  been a failure, as minority enrollment has actually declined. 
C)  has been essentially a failure, a minority participation has held steady but not increased. 
D)  has been substantially successful.

Question 5

In Texas, education, health, and human services expenditures account for __________ of the state's budget.

Accepted Answer

A)  one-half 
B)  three-fourths 
C)  one-third 
D)  one-fourth

Question 6

Controversy has surrounded the State Board of Education due to its

Accepted Answer

A)  lack of educational expertise. 
B)  refusal to support teacher unions. 
C)  lack of courtesy toward fellow members. 
D)  extremist ideological positions.

Question 7

By 2012, how many employees did the state of Texas have?

Accepted Answer

A)  85,000 
B)  123,000 
C)  214,000 
D)  311,000

Question 8

Probably the most important duty of the Texas Railroad Commission from the standpoint of the rest of the United States is

Accepted Answer

A)  regulating the production of oil and natural gas. 
B)  setting the price of Texas-produced petroleum sold outside Texas. 
C)  regulating intrastate trucking commerce. 
D)  regulating the storage of toxic waste in underground salt domes.

Question 9

Describe the principal environmental issues in Texas. Identify the state agency responsible for addressing these issues and explain the reasons for the state's poor environmental "report card." Why has there been so much conflict between the national and Texas governments over environmental regulation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the principal environmental issues in Texas....

Question 10

The current Texas testing program (STAAR) is controversial because

Accepted Answer

A)  it requires end-of-course tests for some subjects. 
B)  it is used for evaluating teachers and schools. 
C)  in practice, it encourages teaching to the test. 
D)  All of these choices are true of the STAAR testing program.

Question 11

The governance of Texas community colleges is performed mainly by

Accepted Answer

A)  local boards of trustees. 
B)  the Texas Education Agency. 
C)  county commissioners courts. 
D)  the State Board of Education.

Question 12

Imagine that you are the 29-year-old parent of two children. You are recently divorced and in good physical condition, but have completed only the tenth grade. To what public assistance are you and your children (ages 8 years and 13 months) now entitled, and from which agencies does this assistance come?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Imagine that you are the 29-year-old parent...

Question 13

The largest single employer in Texas is

Accepted Answer

A)  the federal government. 
B)  the state of Texas. 
C)  Texas Instruments. 
D)  Dell Computers.

Question 14

In Texas,

Accepted Answer

A)  tourism is a minor industry. 
B)  financing of the state parks has fluctuated greatly. 
C)  adequate financing has created one of the best parks systems in the country. 
D)  the parks system is the responsibility of the Texas Environmental Quality Commission.

Question 15

Under the national Affordable Care Act, Texas

Accepted Answer

A)  has greatly expanded the number of people eligible for Medicaid. 
B)  developed one of the most successful state health insurance exchanges (also known as marketplaces). 
C)  refused federal funds for Medicaid expansion and has one of the highest rates of uninsured citizens of all the states. 
D)  abolished Medicaid altogether.

Question 16

Race or ethnicity and testing are major issues in Texas education. Discuss the controversies surrounding one of these. Are the actions taken by the Texas government sufficient to address the issue you chose? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Race or ethnicity and testing are major...

Question 17

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Accepted Answer

A)  consists of 18 members elected from legislatively drawn districts. 
B)  may order the closing of state-funded colleges or universities. 
C)  recently saw its power reduced through the sunset process. 
D)  appoints, and may remove, regents of the state university boards.

Question 18

Assume that you are a newly divorced, 27-year-old mother of two nondisabled children; your former husband has run off and cannot be located to make child support payments; you never graduated from high school; and you own no property. You are definitely ineligible for

Accepted Answer

A)  food stamps. 
B)  Medicaid. 
C)  Medicare. 
D)  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Question 19

In recent years, Texas public school students have been increasingly

Accepted Answer

A)  ethnic or racial minorities and the economically disadvantaged. 
B)  middle class Anglo Texans. 
C)  wealthy immigrants from Europe and Asia. 
D)  Native American and Anglo.

Question 20

Acquiring a government job based on political loyalty, without regard to ability, is called

Accepted Answer

A)  elite access. 
B)  political patronage. 
C)  a merit system. 
D)  affirmative action.

Exam 10: Public Policy and Administration