Public administration & management
Public Administration & Management challenges members to demonstrate their understanding of how government functions and its role in society through an objective test. This event explores topics such as public policy, organizational structure, budgeting, and the intersection of political and economic systems.
Event Overview
Division: High School
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Public Service & Safety
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism
Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened pencil, Photo Identification, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code
Objective Test Competencies
· Public Finance
· Public Policy and Governance
· Communication
· Public Sector Fundamentals
· Public Management
· Ethics
Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.
District
Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.
State
Eligibility
· FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
· Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
· Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
· Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.
· Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
· Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
· If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.
· Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.
Recognition
· The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.
Event Administration
· This event is an objective test administered at the SLC.
· No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
· No calculators may be brought into the testing site.
Scoring
· Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.
· Results announced at the National Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the National Leadership Conference.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
· FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.
Penalty Points
· Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.
Electronic Devices
· Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.
National
If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/
Study Guide: Competencies and Tasks
This study guide shows the skills and knowledge you’ll be tested on for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are based on the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives also reference MBA Research's Learning Activity Packages (LAPs)—resources with readings, activities, and assessments to help you learn. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA.
Public Finance (15 test items)
1. Explain the role of finance in the public sector
2. Describe the nature of budgets (FI:106, LAP-FI-106) (SP)
3. Explain the nature of operating budgets (FI:098) (SU)
4. Develop company's/department's budget (FI:099, LAP-FI-099) (MN)
5. Discuss the nature of public funding
Public Policy and Governance (30 test items)
1. Discuss the policy lifecycle
2. Explain principles of effective policy design
3. Analyze the effectiveness of public policies
4. Discuss factors that influence policymaking (e.g., civil engagement, advocacy, public discourse)
5. Discuss the role of policymaking in governance
6. Discuss the nature of law and sources of law in the United States (BL:067) (SP)
7. Describe the nature of legal procedure (BL:070) (SP)
8. Discuss the role of administrative law (BL:074) (SP)
9. Describe relationship among innovation, learning, and change (SM:094) (CS)
Communication (10 test items)
1. Explain the nature of effective written communications (CO:016) (CS)
2. Adapt written correspondence to targeted audiences (CO:203) (SP)
3. Write proposals (CO:062) (MN)
4. Discuss the importance of digital communication in the public sector (e.g., social media, the internet)
Public Sector Fundamentals (15 test items)
1. Determine the relationship between government and business (EC:008, LAP-EC-016) (CS)
2. Distinguish public administration from private sector management
3. Discuss the role of the public sector in society
4. Describe services provided by the public sector
5. Distinguish among government entities, non-profits, and private businesses
Public Management (20 test items)
1. Discuss the nature of human resources management (HR:410, LAP-HR-410) (CS)
2. Discuss the nature of managerial planning (SM:063) (SP)
3. Explain managerial considerations in organizing (SM:064, LAP-SM-064) (SP)
4. Describe managerial considerations in staffing (SM:065, LAP-SM-065) (SP)
5. Discuss managerial considerations in directing (SM:066, LAP-SM-066) (SP)
6. Describe the nature of managerial control (control process, types of control, what is controlled) (SM:004, LAP-SM-400) (SP)
Ethics (10 test items)
1. Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations (BL:163, LAP-BL-163) (CS)
2. Explain the importance of ethics in the public sector
3. Discuss the concept of public accountability
4. Discuss conflicts of interest in the public sector