Student Learning Outcomes – Critical Thinking

Student Learning Outcomes – Critical ThinkingAssignment:You are to read the attached article, “The Unintended Consequences of Raising the Minimum Wage to $15,” by Jack Kelly and then critically evaluate his argument(s).  You are to present your findings in accordance with the Rubric provided. Thus there will be five sections and they will each be graded according to the points established on the Rubric. Please use 11- or 12-point, sans serif font (Ariel is good). Line spacing should be 1.5 or 2.  Check your grammar, syntax, and spelling. Be very careful with your citations; they will be checked.When you have prepared your document, submit it on Canvas under ‘Assignments.’ Format must be either or x. Present your findings in the following order:1)    Clearly state the issue and briefly describe the most important factors to be examined in this decision. Explain why you are focused on these particular factors – why do you think they are the most important things to consider? (~ ½ page)2)    Present your evidence supporting both sides of the issue and provide the citations (at least three for each side of the issue) necessary so that your reader can return to your source material to verify your findings.  (~ ½ – 1 page)3)    Identify the assumptions made in the arguments made on both sides of the issue – for example, why might someone argue that the demand for entry-level fast-food workers might not be affected by a higher required wage? Do you identify any biases in your evidence? ((~ ½  page)4)    Given all the above, what is your position on raising the minimum wage to $15 nationwide? Do not limit yourself to saying, ‘I support/don’t support this policy proposal.’ Rather, explain and defend your position, adding any caveats or other considerations to your answer. This is also a chance to be creative – do you have a proposal of your own that addresses some (or all) concerns of both sides? (~1/2 page)5)    Assuming you were asked about this proposal by a friend, how would you respond? Limit this response to about 4-5 short statements. (~1/2 page)You should consider the following factors, at a minimum, as you research and construct your paper:a)The effect of such a rise on overall unemployment in the US as well as unemployment in specific industries and among specific groups of American workers (to include immigrant labor, unskilled labor, and those with minimal educational levels);b)    The likely response among employers (include multiple industries and employers of different sizes) if they must implement such a policy;c)The psychological effect of such a policy on workers and employers;d)    The macro-economic effect of such a policy for the country at large as well as any micro-economic effects on particular industries;e)    Any other parameters you deem worthy of consideration (think broadly here, but focus on the most important impacts – e.g., the impact on high-school dropout rates; the impact on

non-minimum wage jobs; the effect on prices in labor-intensive and non-labor-intensive industries. Be wide-ranging in your considerations, but focus on those that you view as most important. Explain why you chose these parameters as worthy of consideration

ECO 2013 – Strickland

Student Learning Outcomes – Critical Thinking

Assignment:

You are to read the attached article, “The Unintended Consequences of Raising the Minimum Wage to $15,” by Jack Kelly and then critically evaluate his argument(s). You are to present your findings in accordance with the Rubric provided. Thus there will be five sections and they will each be graded according to the points established on the Rubric.

Please use 11- or 12-point, sans serif font (Ariel is good). Line spacing should be 1.5 or 2. Check your grammar, syntax, and spelling. Be very careful with your citations; they will be checked.

When you have prepared your document, submit it on Canvas under ‘Assignments.’ Format must be either or x.

Present your findings in the following order:

1) Clearly state the issue and briefly describe the most important factors to be examined in this decision. Explain why you are focused on these particular factors – why do you think they are the most important things to consider? (~ ½ page)

2) Present your evidence supporting both sides of the issue and provide the citations (at least three for each side of the issue) necessary so that your reader can return to your source material to verify your findings. (~ ½ – 1 page)

3) Identify the assumptions made in the arguments made on both sides of the issue – for example, why might someone argue that the demand for entry-level fast-food workers might not be affected by a higher required wage? Do you identify any biases in your evidence? ((~ ½ page)

4) Given all the above, what is your position on raising the minimum wage to $15 nationwide? Do not limit yourself to saying, ‘I support/don’t support this policy proposal.’ Rather, explain and defend your position, adding any caveats or other considerations to your answer. This is also a chance to be creative – do you have a proposal of your own that addresses some (or all) concerns of both sides? (~1/2 page)

5) Assuming you were asked about this proposal by a friend, how would you respond? Limit this response to about 4-5 short statements. (~1/2 page)

You should consider the following factors, at a minimum, as you research and construct your paper:

a) The effect of such a rise on overall unemployment in the US as well as unemployment in specific industries and among specific groups of American workers (to include immigrant labor, unskilled labor, and those with minimal educational levels);

b) The likely response among employers (include multiple industries and employers of different sizes) if they must implement such a policy;

c) The psychological effect of such a policy on workers and employers;

d) The macro-economic effect of such a policy for the country at large as well as any micro-economic effects on particular industries;

e) Any other parameters you deem worthy of consideration (think broadly here, but focus on the most important impacts – e.g., the impact on high-school dropout rates; the impact on non-minimum wage jobs; the effect on prices in labor-intensive and non-labor-intensive industries. Be wide-ranging in your considerations, but focus on those that you view as most important. Explain why you chose these parameters as worthy of consideration.

This assignment has a value of up to 5 extra points to be added to your course average. You must attain at least 3 points on this assignment in order to pass the course.

RS

Rubric for Minimum Wage GELO, ECO 2013

Section 1 – state the issue

0-5 points fails to clearly state the issue at hand or lacks completeness in its description

6-10 points offers minimum level of description, includes terms that are or objectives that are ambiguous

11-15 points description of the issue is reasonably clear but may be subject to bias or lacks some critical aspect of the issue

16-20 points issue is clearly defined; clear statement of objective inquiry and intent to consider all sides of the issue

Section 2 – present evidence

0-5 points lack of any evidence, reliance on personal perspective or hearsay

6-10 points very little objective findings or references; clear bias towards evidence supporting only side of the issue

11-15 points although sufficient findings presented, lack of depth and breadth

16 – 20 points cited evidence embraces conflicting views with depth and breadth of analysis

Section 3 – identifying assumptions and context

0-5 points lack of any identified assumptions or prejudices in evidence

6-10 points identifies some assumptions, but fails to question or analyze them

11 – 15 points identifies several assumptions or positions and critiques them somewhat

16 – 20 points identifies most assumptions/contexts and critiques them sufficiently

Section 4 – author’s position on the issue

0 – 5 points failure to state personal view or view stated simplistically

6 – 10 points takes a position and acknowledges other views superficially

11 – 15 points takes a position while acknowledging the complexities and nuances involved; other points of view are acknowledged with sufficient explanation

16 – 20 points specific position is well-stated, imaginative, and reasonably considers the complexities; recognizes other points of view in the process

Section 5 – Conclusions & related outcomes

0 – 5 points lack of clearly stated position or inconsistent statements

6 – 10 points position stems from biased evidence, reflecting a position taken a priori

11 – 15 points conclusion matches logically with evidence presented; related outcomes are clearly identified

16 – 20 points position is stated clearly and logically reflecting author’s priorities; related outcomes and possibilities are also clearly stated

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2019/07/10/the-unintended-consequences-of-the-15-minimum-wage/?sh=4739dd5be4a7

Jul 10, 2019,12:00pm EDT|377,899 views

The Unintended Consequences Of Raising Minimum Wage To $15

Jack Kelly

Senior Contributor

Careers

I write actionable interview, career and salary advice.

My wife, the kids and I went shopping over the long Fourth of July weekend. We stopped into Target for a few items—and ended up with more than we came for—and sped through the self-checkout line. The next stop was Home Depot to get supplies for a project and, once again, we checked ourselves out without the assistance of a cashier. Then, we made a last stop at Whole Foods for our family barbecue and chose the self-checkout line. 

A

recent study

by the Congressional Budget Office, entitled “The Effects on Employment and Family Income of Increasing the Federal Minimum Wage,” was conducted to determine how increasing the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10, $12 or $15 per hour by 2025 would affect employment and family income. The conclusion was that increasing the federal minimum wage would have two major impacts on low-wage workers: earnings would increase for many, which would lift some families out of poverty. However, other low-wage workers would become jobless, their family income would drop and it could place them below the poverty threshold. This issue is timely, important and deserves an open and honest conversation, as there will be an upcoming vote in the House of Representatives on a bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024.

The idea of raising the minimum wage is noble and commendable, but many of the arguments rely upon raw emotion and neglect sound economic ramifications that will adversely impact the same people it’s trying to help.

Raising the minimum wage has a number of serious and negative unintended consequences. Employers, especially small family and midsize businesses, will be disproportionately hurt by the extra costs incurred. The local neighborhood stores and businesses with razor-thin profits will be forced to raise prices to make up for the addition labor costs. With the increased prices, customers may elect to take their business elsewhere. Losing customers means losing income, which could result in the business having to layoff workers.  

Customer scans his Amazon Go cellphone app at the entrance as he heads into an Amazon Go store in… [+]

Large corporations with big budgets will weigh the increased labor costs and elect to invest in technology to displace workers. This trend will soon become prevalent in the food service industry, hospitality, retail, construction and manufacturing. Amazon recently opened up several prototype

Amazon Go

stores that are self described as “a new kind of store featuring the world’s most advanced shopping technology. No lines, no checkout—just grab and go!” Fast food chains and large department stores will follow suit and implement self-service checkout to save costs. Corporate executives will recognize that the $15 per hour could be routinely raised. They will weigh the future unknown costs associated with additional increases, coupled with the ever-increasing insurance costs, plus the time-consuming task of finding employees, training them and dealing with turnover. It’s easier and less expensive to have technology take over. The unintended consequence will be that there will be far fewer jobs available for those that need them most.

We have a steady stream of immigrants coming into the United States, which is good news. However, as anyone who lives in a suburb recognizes, there are many people working at jobs that would ordinarily pay minimum wage, but unscrupulous business owners compensate people in cash far under the minimum wage. This practice closes the door to opportunities for young people, students and mothers returning to the workforce to get a job.

A rough back-of-the-envelope calculation of a typical restaurant that employs workers at $15 an hour exemplifies the unintended consequences of the minimum wage increase. If employees work eight hours a day each week, over the course of one year, the labor costs will be $436,800. This does not include insurance costs, benefits, payroll and other taxes. Most service-sector businesses have thin margins and an increase in this magnitude could close the company. If the restaurant raises prices too high, then they’ll lose their customers to other restaurants that either pay people under the table—skirting the laws—or deploy technology.

While some people may benefit with an increase in their hourly earnings, other employees will be let go to save costs. Employers may elect to cut hours across the board for everyone. Whichever way the employer goes, some of the workers will be in a worse situation.

Seattle’s move to $15 an hour

, a few years ago, resulted in workers given fewer hours and experiencing a net loss in pay.  

In the past, as a society, we had viewed the entry-level jobs as a way to earn some money during school and over the summer. Certain menial jobs were never intended as a means to provide for a family. The minimum wage jobs were primarily an entry point into the workforce. The lower-end job was the ideal place to learn about the real world, how to deal with managers, interact with customers and gain the experience to move onto bigger and better things.

With the best of intentions, the $15 hourly wage can lull people into staying at a role for far too long. My nephew, Matthew, skipped college, as he enjoyed the cash from working at a local deli. Living at home with free room and board, he felt flush with money. Five years later, he’s in his late 20s, living in a new apartment with his boyfriend and he has suddenly realized that the money doesn’t go so far. Because he stayed at this minimum wage job too long, Matt’s finding out that he’s not very marketable. There isn’t a huge demand for a high-school-educated person with very narrow food-service experience, living in a small town. If his pay was lower, it may have served as a motivation to seek out other work that offers future growth potential.

These types of jobs are not designed to provide for a family. They’re either for someone looking to get a foot in the door and join the workforce or someone looking for an extra income or a temporary port in the storm, if they’ve lost their job. We are misleading people to think that these lower-rung jobs will afford a sustainable lifestyle. It also reeks of discrimination. It’s as if we are telling a certain segment of the population that they can’t achieve greater things. By telling a group of people that it’s acceptable to spend your life in a minimum wage job, we’re really saying that we don’t believe that they’re capable of anything more than cleaning toilets, making beds, flipping burgers or mowing lawns. Nothing is worse than telling someone that they are doomed to a life of low wages, hard work and no bright future ahead. Would you want that for your own children? We should encourage people to think of these jobs as a starting point toward bigger and better things.

We would better serve this segment of the population if we allocated money to train people to enter areas in which there are shortages of workers, such as the trades. We should offer apprenticeships to learn marketable skills in a specific trade. If a person could learn to become an electrician, carpenter, plumber, heating and cooling professional or mechanic, they could built a long-term financially rewarding career. Continuing education, computer training and career coaching would help people too.

If you’re in a job earning a minimum wage, I’d like to share some advice. Use this opportunity to learn. Show up early, work hard, stay late, assume responsibilities, seek out new challenges, ask a lot of questions and take pride in your work. If you work at a fast food restaurant, strive to be a manager, then a district manager and maybe set your sights on opening a franchise of your own. You don’t have to settle with where you are at now. View where you are currently as a temporary stop along your journey toward success.

If you didn’t receive a high school diploma, carve out time to get a GED. If you’re a high school graduate, pursue an online or in-person college degree. Find a job that you are passionate about and gives you purpose. You will work harder, be happier and people will notice and promote you. Have a strong work ethic, even if you are doing the grunt work. It will lead to a better job that will then steer you to even greater work. You have to be mentally strong to push forward and grow to avoid staying trapped or complacent in a dead-end job. A minimum wage is just the start and it should never define you or your future.