Affordability

Devise an index that will measure "affordability of living." Explain the components and the structure of your index and justify your thinking. Be sure to consider such factors as (though not limited to) the median income, costs of health care, housing, education, food, and energy. Use this index to profile four cities (see list below)* in our state and to draw some conclusions about how affordability has changed in these cities over the last ten years. Also, use your index and the data you collect to project out 5 years into the future for each of these cities. Check the Hints from participants.

*For the four cities, choose one from each of the following lists:

Large Cities: Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Tri-Cities
Medium Cities: Bellingham, Bremerton, Walla Walla, Wenatchee
Towns: Moses Lake, Colville, Port Angeles, Mt. Vernon
Small towns: North Port., Nassele, Pomeroy, Joyce

Evaluation

The Report (70%)

Addressing the problem

___ Address the question that was asked

Restate the problem in your context:
___ clearly
___ succinctly

Communicate your solution:
___ clearly
___ succinctly

Data

___ Data sources must be clearly identified and cited.

Data sources must be:
___ appropriate (give a brief rationale for your choice)
___ sufficient
___ reliable

Mathematics (scores x2)

The mathematics you use must be:

___ appropriate

___ adequate / sufficient

___ correctly applied

___ clearly justified

Communicating the results

___ Conclusions must be clearly and correctly tied to and supported by the mathematical analysis.

The figures and graphics must be:
___ necessary and sufficient
___ clearly labeled and tied to the text

Mechanics of the report:
___ four clearly and correctly differentiated sections
___ correct grammar, page numbers, accepted style conventions, and source citations

The Display (15%)

Your display and the people supporting it should:

___ Explain your interpretation of the problem

___ Explain and justify the approach you took

___ Explain and justify your conclusions

The Presentation (15%)

Your presentation should be:

___ informative

___ succinct

___ responsive to questions

It should also be clear and compelling with respect to

___ mathematics

___ your problem solving process

Note: each of the above criteria (anywhere there is a "___") will be evaluated as: 3 points--completely satisfies this requirement; 2 points--mostly satisfies this requirement; 1 point--somewhat satisfies this requirement; or, 0 points--ungradeable.