Conference Papers

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The first section of this paper will discuss the need for courses, which develop the skills necessary to conduct a critical analysis of whether or not public value is being generated from the programs and activities taking place in public sector organizations. Public administration curriculum should include instruction to equip students with the proficiencies and competencies necessary to determine and identify if operationally, organizations are efficient, and if publicly, organizations are effective. A determining factor of success for students, who are entering the field of public administration, is to have the aptitude to differentiate between operational efficiency and public effectiveness. More importantly, will be their ability to successfully find a middle ground between the application of theory and the reality of implementation.

The second section of this paper will discuss the need for future practitioners of public administration to have the ability to assess the relevance of public programs and entitlements. Basically, there will be two questions throughout the career of a public administrator that she or he will need to consistently address:

1. Whether or not his or her agency, department, or division is still addressing the need for which it was originally created, and
2. At what juncture his or her agency, department, division or program should cease to exist.

The third section of my paper addresses the advantage and benefit of using more experienced public servants and practitioners as partners in instruction and course development at public administration institutions of higher learning. Through the use of individuals who have applied (or attempted to apply) the theoretical principles of public administration as partner-professors, students would acquire a unique perceptive and appreciation for the realities of public sector management from those who are, or have been, actively involved.

Finally, the last section of my paper gives the perspective of the challenges of attempting to apply public administration theory, while simultaneously attempting to affect the results for which public programs were created. As a holder of a dual undergraduate degree in public administration and political science, the paper concludes with a personal and introspective discussion of the challenges and realities of two decades of working within the public sector. Additionally, I will share what I believe would have been beneficial for me to have been taught, during my public administration studies, prior to embarking on my journey as a career civil servant.

Valerie Richardson: trewynvr@mindspring.com

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Teaching Politics is published by William J. Ball (ball@tcnj.edu)