Handbook of Educational Policy

Front Cover

HANDBOOK OF Educational Policy

Copyright Page

Contents

Contributors

Preface

Part I: Foundational Issues in American Educational Policy

Chapter 1. Whose Schools Are These and What Are They for? The Role of the Rule of Law in Defining Educational Opportunity in American Public Education

A Historical Introduction to U.S. Educational Law and Policy

Education Policy and the Role of Law

Legal Issues in Elementary and Secondary Education: Current Concerns

The Future Role of the Rule of Law

References

Chapter 2. The Finance of American Public Education: Challenges of Equity, Adequacy, and Efficiency

The State’s Role in Funding Education

Who Pays for Education?

Linking Education Finance and Education Reform

Where Should Spending Authority Reside?

Summary

References

Chapter 3. Infusing Educational Decision Making with Research

The Influence of Research on Policy

The Influence of Research on Teaching Practice

The Influence of Policy on Research

Summary and Conclusion

References

Chapter 4. The Role of Philosophy in Educational Reforms: Never The Twain Shall Meet?

Why Philosophy?

A Historical Primer

Constructivism and Education

Educators, Philosophy, and Educational Policy

References

Part II: Local, State, National, and International Perspectives

Chapter 5. Evolution of Educational Reform in Maryland: Using Data to Drive State Policy and Local Reform

History of Maryland’s School Reform Efforts

Local Use of Data from the Maryland School Performance Program

Issues in Data Use and Interpretation

Some Speculations about the Future of Data-Based Decision Making

Conclusion

References

Chapter 6. Michigan: The State of Education Reform

The Crises Leading to the 1993 Reform

The Pivotal Year: 1993

1994–1997

Directions of Future Reform

On Washington’s Role in K–12 Education

Conclusion

References

Chapter 7. Standards Initiatives and American Educational Reform

The Promise of Standards-Based Reform

Recent Standards-Based Reforms at the State and National Levels

Perils and Pitfalls of Standards-Based Reform

Work Needed on Content Standards

Role of Assessment in Standards-Based Reform

Status of Assessment Efforts at the State and National Levels

National Efforts at Joint Development

Prognosis for Standards-Based Reform for Effective School Improvement

References

Chapter 8. Moving Toward an Accountable System of K–12 Education: Alternative Approaches and Challenges

Accountability as a Governance Value

Accountability as a Reform Impulse

Conclusion

References

Chapter 9. The Role of The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in Setting, Reflecting, and Linking National Education Policy to States’ Needs

Background

Early NAEP, 1969–1982

NAEP’s Redesign for the 1980s

Policy Shifts in NAEP under the Governing Board

NAEP’s Redesign for the Future

The Voluntary National Test

Summary

References

Chapter 10. Education Policy in the United States and Abroad: What We Can Learn from Each Other

Learning from Each Other

Conducting Cross-Cultural Studies

Applying Results

Contributions from the United States

Recent Research

Conclusions

References

Part III: Intersections of Theory, Policy, Politics, and Practice

Chapter 11. Policy and Practical Implications of Theoretical Innovations in Education

An Educational Dilemma

The Impact of Expectations

Cognitive Mediation and Our Emotions

Rising Expectations—How and Why?

Innovation and Change: Impact on Children

The Quest for Relevance and Rising Expectations

Discussion and Recommendations

References

Chapter 12. Political Institutions and Educational Policy

Education as a Major Governmental Function

Development of Educational Policy in U.S. Federalism

Political and Policy Differences among States

Local Control and Governance Reform

Conclusion

References

Chapter 13. Success for All: Policy Consequences of Replicable Schoolwide Reform

Models of Reform

Research on Success for All and Roots and Wings

Policy Implications of Success for All

Conclusion

References

Chapter 14. The Impact of the Teachers’ Unions on Educational Policy and Outcomes

Why Teacher Unionism Is Unique

The Teacher Unions: Historical Origins

The Teachers’ Unions: Their Education in Collective Bargaining

The Projected NEA-AFT and the Future of Labor Organization

The Philosophy of the Projected NEA-AFT

Conclusions

References

Chapter 15. The Pendulum Revisited: Faddism in Education and Its Alternatives

The Pendulum in Practice

Anatomy of the Pendulum

Stop the Pendulum, I Want to Get off

Demanding Top-Quality Evaluations

Evaluating New Programs

Governmental Support for Programs Evaluation and Dissemination of Findings

Concentrating Resources on Effective Programs

Switching to a Fad-Free Diet

References

Chapter 16. The Role of Technology in Education: Reality, Pitfalls, and Potential

Introduction

Teachers, Technology, and Learning

Educational Uses of Software and Networks

Adoption Issues

The Technology in Education Adoption Model for Professional Development

Barriers to Adoption

Safe Use of Networks

Recommendations

References

Part IV: Methodological Advances for Educational Policy Analysis

Chapter 17. Meta-Analytic Effects for Policy

Effect Sizes

Overview

Basis of the Estimates

Educational Effect Estimates

Conclusion

References

Chapter 18. Mixed-Method Research: Introduction and Application

Introduction

The Language and Rhetoric of Mixed-Method Research

A Brief History of Mixed-Method Research

Basic Procedures in Designing and Composing a Mixed-Method Study

Applying the Steps of a Mixed-Method Study

Conclusion

References

Chapter 19. Basic Concepts in Hierarchical Linear Modeling with Applications for Policy Analysis

Introduction

Criteria for Successful Monitoring

National Level Analyses of Interprovincial Differences

Provincial and District-Level Analyses to Estimate Adjusted Levels and Gradients

Provincial and District-Level Analyses That Examine Schooling Processes

Policy Implications

References

Part V: American Educational Policy Making: Past and Future

Chapter 20. American Educational Policy: Constructing Crises and Crafting Solutions

What Is a Crisis?

Education in Crisis

Crisis Ownership and the Politics of Educational Policy Making

Conclusions and Conjectures about Crises in Education

References

Chapter 21. Educational Policy Analysis: The Treads Behind, the Trends Ahead

Policy Making That Made a Difference

Policy Making Tipped over into Politics

Policy Making to Watch

References

Resources

Biographical Statements

Index