# Policy Brief Template

## Usage
This template provides the skeleton for an evidence-based policy brief targeting decision-makers. Policy briefs are shorter, more direct, and action-oriented than academic papers.

---

# [Policy Brief Title — Clear and Action-Oriented]

**Author(s):** [Author Name(s)]
**Affiliation:** [Institution]
**Date:** [Date]
**Target Audience:** [e.g., MOE officials, university administrators, legislators]

---

## Executive Summary

[The policy problem in 1-2 sentences.]
[Key evidence in 1-2 sentences.]
[Primary recommendation in 1-2 sentences.]

### Key Recommendations
1. [Recommendation 1 — one sentence]
2. [Recommendation 2 — one sentence]
3. [Recommendation 3 — one sentence]

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## 1. Background

### 1.1 The Policy Problem
[What is the problem? Who is affected? How severe is it?]
[Use specific data to illustrate the problem.]

### 1.2 Current Policy Context
[What existing policies or regulations are relevant?]
[What has already been tried?]

### 1.3 Why Action is Needed Now
[What makes this urgent? What happens if nothing changes?]
[Include a compelling statistic or projection.]

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## 2. Evidence Base

### 2.1 Key Finding 1: [Title]
[Present evidence clearly with citations.]
[Include a figure or table if helpful.]

### 2.2 Key Finding 2: [Title]
[Present evidence clearly with citations.]

### 2.3 Key Finding 3: [Title]
[Present evidence clearly with citations.]

### 2.4 International Comparisons *(if relevant)*
[How do other countries/regions handle this issue?]
[What can we learn from their experience?]

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## 3. Policy Options Analysis

### Option A: [Descriptive Name]
[1-2 paragraph description of the option.]

| Criterion | Assessment |
|-----------|-----------|
| **Effectiveness** | [High/Medium/Low — brief justification] |
| **Feasibility** | [High/Medium/Low — brief justification] |
| **Cost** | [High/Medium/Low — estimate if available] |
| **Timeline** | [Short-term / Medium-term / Long-term] |
| **Political Acceptability** | [High/Medium/Low] |

### Option B: [Descriptive Name]
[1-2 paragraph description.]

| Criterion | Assessment |
|-----------|-----------|
| **Effectiveness** | [assessment] |
| **Feasibility** | [assessment] |
| **Cost** | [assessment] |
| **Timeline** | [timeline] |
| **Political Acceptability** | [assessment] |

### Option C: [Descriptive Name]
[1-2 paragraph description.]

| Criterion | Assessment |
|-----------|-----------|
| **Effectiveness** | [assessment] |
| **Feasibility** | [assessment] |
| **Cost** | [assessment] |
| **Timeline** | [timeline] |
| **Political Acceptability** | [assessment] |

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## 4. Recommendations

### 4.1 Recommended Option
[State the recommended option and justify the choice.]
[1-2 paragraphs]

### 4.2 Implementation Steps
1. **Step 1** (Month 1-3): [action]
2. **Step 2** (Month 4-6): [action]
3. **Step 3** (Month 7-12): [action]
4. **Step 4** (Year 2+): [action]

### 4.3 Success Metrics
| Metric | Baseline | Target | Timeline |
|--------|----------|--------|----------|
| [Metric 1] | [current value] | [target value] | [when] |
| [Metric 2] | [current value] | [target value] | [when] |

### 4.4 Risk Mitigation
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|------|-----------|-----------|
| [Risk 1] | [H/M/L] | [strategy] |
| [Risk 2] | [H/M/L] | [strategy] |

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## 5. Conclusion
[1 paragraph restating the urgency and recommended action.]

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## AI Disclosure
[Standard AI disclosure statement.]

## References
[Complete reference list — keep concise for policy brief audience.]

## Appendix: Methodology Note
[Brief description of how the evidence was gathered and analyzed.]
