Fowler Ch. 6 The Major Education Policy Actors

1. Fowler Ch. 6The Major Education Policy Actors Dr. Nith Bunlay and Dr. Wayne E. Wright Royal University of Phnom Penh

2. Focus Questions • Who are the major participants in the policy process? • Which participants are the most influential? • How can educational leaders identify the major players in their own states and obtain information about them? • How can educational leaders follow educational policy making?

3. The Dramatis Personae of the Policy Drama • We can think of policy making as a play or movie • Individuals actively involved in the policy process are called policy actors • Together they make up the dramatis personae – the cast of characters.

4. Most Influential Policy Actors • Research suggests that the following is the rank order of the most influential policy actors • 1. Individual legislators • 2. Legislature as a whole • 3. Chief state school officer • 4. Education interests groups combined • 5. Teachers’ organizations • 6. Governor and executive staff • 7. Legislative staff • 8. State Board of education • 9. School boards’ associations • 10. Administrators’ associations • 11. Courts • 12. Federal Government • 13. Noneducator groups • 14. Lay groups • 15. Education research organizations Activity: Make a list of the Education Policy Actors in Cambodia. Rank them in order of influence. Compare it with this list.

5. Presentation Overview • Major government actors • Elected and appointed officials • Non-government actors • Interest groups • Policy planning organizations • Media • Practical suggestions for identifying policy actors and getting information about them.

6. Government ActorsThe Legislative Branch • The legislature • Major function is the development and passage of statues, one type of law. • Before developing bills, will hold public hearings, and seek expert opinion • Review existing laws • Continue them • Amend (change) them • Repeal (eliminate) them • Approve the government’s budget • Investigate issues of importance or concern

7. Government ActorsThe Legislative Branch • In the United States • Most legislatures have two chambers or “houses” • Senate • Smaller number of representatives • Generally serve longer terms (4-6 years) • House of Representatives • In some states called the Assembly, General Assembly, or House of Delegates • Generally serve shorter terms (2 years) • Each chamber or house has committees that work on specific issues • Ex: Education Committee • A separate committee determines how much money will be budgeted for a new law • Called the Finance Committee, Appropriations Committee, or the Ways and Means Committee • Members of these education and finance committees are major education policy actors • Staff members of the legislatures work behind the scenes, but can also be very important education policy actors

8. Government ActorsThe Executive Branch • Governors • In the U.S. the leader of each state government is called the governor • Tend to less influence on educational policy than legislators and other actors, but still have substantial influence • Governors often act as “issue catalysts” in state policy making. • They select key issues, publicize them in speeches, and leads the public and the legislature to focus on them. • National Governors’ Organization • Organization of the governors of the 50 states • Has its own headquarters in Washington DC • Conducts its own research and lobbies the federal government • Has helped to set national educational policy issues

9. Government ActorsThe Executive Branch • State Boards of Education • A group of 9 to 11 members • In 2/3 of the states, members are appointed by the governor • Most members are not educators • Duties • Developing and/or approving rules and regulations in implementing educational laws enacted by the legislature • Developing certification requirements for K-12 teachers and administrators • Approving and monitoring educational assessment programs, like state tests • Setting minimum high-school graduation requirements • Determining accreditation standards • Hearing appeals from teachers and administrators

10. Executive BranchChief State School Officer • Each state has a chief state school officer • Similar to the Minister of Education in Cambodia • In 35 states, they are appointed by the State Board of Education • Usually an experienced educator • Likely to work independently from the governor and follow their own educational agenda • In 9 states they are appointed by the Governor • Very likely to follow the governor’s education priorities • In 15 states, they are elected by the people • Usually a politician outside of the education system • Most likely to push their own education agenda, which may not be in agreement with the governor, legislature, or state board of education

11. Executive BranchState Department of Education • Each state has its own state department of education • Similar to MOEYS in Cambodia • One of the most important education policy actors in the state • The Chief State School Office is the leader of the department • Duties • Provide the legislature with data and information • Develop the rules and regulations for implementing policies • Providing assistance to schools in implementing policies • Monitor schools to ensure compliance • Policy Influence • While officially only a bureaucratic institution, the Department of Education’s resources are used to push the Chief State School Officers policy agenda • But individuals within the department might oppose and work against the agenda.

12. The Judicial BranchState Department of Education • State Courts • Federal Courts • U.S. Supreme Court • Judges can have significant influence over education policy • Decisions issued in education-related lawsuits often result in new policies that must be acted up by state legislatures and state departments of education • Ex: Brown vs. Board of Education in the 1950s led the eventual desegregation of American Schools. • Made it possible for Black and White students to attend the same schools

13. Local Government Actors • Local Boards of Education • Each school district has its own board of education • Set local policy within the requirements of state and federal policy • Superintendents • Appointed by the local school board • Is responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the schools • Chief enforcer of local, state, and federal policies within the school district • Typically are active in fighting for changes to education policy and for developing new policies

14. Nongovernmental Policy Actors • Interest Groups • An association of individuals or organizations that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempt to influence public policy in their favor • Education interest groups include teachers and administrator organizations • National Education Association • American Federation of Teachers • American Association of School Administrators • Interest groups have their own offices, staff, resources, and hire lobbyist to work with and influence the legislature.

15. Nongovernmental Policy Actors • Noneducation interest groups who try to influence education policy • Business groups • Religious groups • Ethnic groups • Civil Liberties and human rights groups • Policy Planning Organizations • Often called “Think Tanks” • Usually funded by rich individuals, corporations, or foundations • Support the agenda of the funders • Conduct research and issues policy papers • Lobbying efforts to influence the legislature

16. The Media • Mass Media • Print media (newspapers, magazines) • Broadcast media (TV, Radio) • Internet • Report on policy issues and the policy making process • Influence policy issues and the policy making process • Help raise education problems to become policy issues by raising awareness and reporting on them • Often reflect the policy agenda of the paper’s editor and/or funding source • Publish opinion pieces written by the editors, columnists, policy actors, or members of the public • Often take official positions related to policy debates • Often endorse specific candidates in elections

17. Identifying and Learning about Policy Actors • In order to interact with and influence policy actors, you first must find out who they are, what they do, and what issues they care about. • Sources for information • Websites of government organizations • Websites of non-government education organizations • Official telephone directories • Newspaper articles about policy issues • Recent policy reports

18. Discussion Questions • Look at your list of the major policy actors in Cambodia from the opening activity. Discuss why you ranked these the way you did. • In Cambodia one major policy actor is the Education NGOs. Describe their role and influence in Cambodia on the education policy process? • What are the best resources for getting information about individual education policy actors in Cambodia?

19. Policy Discussion Circle (#3) • Break into 3 small groups • As a group, read and discuss the article on p. 164 in the textbook. • Case Study: “Stop the Bullies!” The Politics of Accountability • On a sheet of paper • Write Policy Discussion Circle #3 • Write down all the members of the group • Discuss and write down the answers for questions 1 -3. • Give the sheet of paper to the instructor at the end of the class • Report to the whole group • Each group will present their answers to one of the questions.