Dr. Nith Bunlay and Dr. Wayne E. WrightRoyal University of Phnom Penh

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

1. Look at your list of the major policy actors in Cambodia from the opening activity. Discuss why you ranked these the way you did.

2. In Cambodia one major policy actor is the Education NGOs. Describe their role and influence in Cambodia on the education policy process?

3. What are the best resources for getting information about individual education policy actors in Cambodia?

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.