1、1,An Introduction to Postsecondary Public PolicyCheryl D. Lovell, Ph.D. Director, ASHE Graduate Student Seminar Associate Professor, Higher Education Program Associate Dean, College of Education University of DenverASHE Policy Seminar For Advanced Graduate Students November 16, 2005 Philadelphia, PA
2、,Understanding the Process of Policy Making,And Understanding the Policy Issues are of *Paramount Importance*,3,I. Process,ISSUE OR PROBLEM,Societal Forces,Societal Forces,Societal Forces,Societal Forces,II. Outcome,RESULT DECISION For Public Good,4,Policy and Public Policy?,5,What is Policy? High L
3、evel Plan Projected Program of Desires, Objectives, and Means to Achieve Them Purposive Course of Action for Individuals in an Attempt to Address a Matter of Concern (Anderson, 1995) A Guide for Decision-Making or a Framework Within Which Decisions Can Be Made/Setting Parameters for Making Decisions
4、. Lovell, C. D., & Gill, J. (1997).,6,What is Public Policy? Interdisciplinary Field of Study Based in Social Sciences Discussion of Issue/Concern (Process) to Resolve for Good of All (Outcome) Decision-Making Process for Addressing Issues of Concern To Its Members Lovell, C. D., & Gill, J. (1997).,
5、7,Characteristics of Good Public Policy in Postsecondary Environment (Lovell, C.D.)All Sectors Involved/All Educational Providers (Public, Private-Independent, and Propriety-For-Profit) Policy Represents Values, Beliefs, and Priorities of Members Does Dictate A Specific Decision And Gives Intended D
6、irections/Goal (Not Micromanage-Give Room to Operationalize) (Lovell, C.D.),8,Public Policy Issue? Anything A Vocal Decision Maker Wants,9,Major Governmental Actors Shaping Public Policy National/Federal State Control/Supervising ModelLocal Government Courts (all levels),10,Major Public Actors/Stake
7、holdersLocal Communities Business Leaders Donor Community Local Officials Faculty Members Governing Boards Students Parents Institutional Leadership,11,Understanding Policy-Making,The Environment Idea Formation Arena (Input) Policy Making Arena (Throughput) Policy Implementation (Output)(Linking Res
8、earch and Policy-Making, Lenth, Ratcliff, Larson ASHE, 1999),12,Federal Role in Shaping Postsecondary Public Policy,Tax Laws Research Support Student Financial Aid Mandates (Gladieux Lovell 2000),13,State Role in Shaping Postsecondary Public Policy,Classification of State Structures Consolidated Gov
9、erning Board States Coordinating Board States Planning Agency States,14,State Role in Shaping Postsecondary Public Policy,Statewide Coordination Coordination Planning Policy Analysis and Problem Resolution Mission Definition Academic Program Review Budget Development, Funding Formulas, and Resource
10、Allocation Program Administration Information, Assessment, and Accountability Systems Institutional Licensure and Authorization,15,Policy Research VS Policy Analysis,Policy ResearchPolicy Formation Historical Account Overtime What Happened,Policy AnalysisPolicy Formulation Looking Forward What Needs
11、 to Happen,TODAY,16,Characteristics of Public Policy Analysis,The aim is to improve and inform the solution of public problems The object of analysis is public policy The analysis may include both scientific and nonscientific knowledge (both data and stories) (Linking Research and Policy-Making, Len
12、th, Ratcliff, Larson ASHE, 1999),17,Policy Research/Analysis comes in a variety of forms:,Policy-relevant social science research Policy-oriented research outside academic settings Political science research on policy processes and/or policy content Economic analysis of proposed policy alternatives
13、(Piemfors, R. (1992). Policy analysis. In B.R. Clark & G. Neave (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Higher Education Vol. III (pp. 1907-1915).,18,Research/Analysis can affect policy,1. Structuring of the policy problem 2. Assessment of the policy alternatives 3. Formulation of the policy recommendations 4. Form
14、al decision-taking(continued),In different ways, and at different points in time,19,5. Policy implementation 6. Policy evaluation 7. Feedback (including sometimes, policy termination) (Piemfors, R. (1992). Policy analysis. In B.R. Clark & G. Neave (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Higher Education Vol. III (p
15、p. 1907-1915).,In different ways, and at different points in time,Research/Analysis can affect policy,20,Research/Analysis can affect policy by:,Promoting new ideas and solutions to policy problems. Providing alternatives within a given policy framework. Challenging or disproving closely held belief
16、s surrounding policy. Nudging policy-makers to action. Promoting discourse in a democratic society. (continued),21,Research/Analysis Can Affect Policy By:,Providing information and advice regarding existing policy. Influencing thinking about new policy formulation. Interpreting the context or situat
17、ion in which the policy operates or is to be applied. Introducing new perspectives to policy debate. (Linking Research and Policy-Making, Lenth, Ratcliff, Larson ASHE, 1999),22,Some downsides to policy research/analysis:,The research may be used in unintended ways. The research may be ignored. The r
18、esearch must compete with other information sources for influence on policy. It is difficult to assess the impact of research on policy.(continued),23,The conclusions and recommendations of policy research are often modified in the policy-making environment. Ideology may prevail over evidence. Resea
19、rch and researchers often are seen are an alien culture to policy makers. (Linking Research and Policy-Making, Lenth, Ratcliff, Larson ASHE, 1999),Some downsides to policy research/analysis:,24,Improving utilization of policy research/analysis,Ways to influence the system Understand the process and
20、culture Understand the art of persuasion Anticipate how the receiver will interpret the research findings and conclusions Communicate based on that understanding Interact with policy makers Establish credibility for the research effort Learn from the research on transferal of ideas(continued),25,Imp
21、roving utilization of policy research/analysis,Ways to design more relevant and useful research Identify needs of policy makers Identify emerging issues Be research “translators” Conduct policy-making directed research Develop a policy-related data base of research (Linking Research and Policy-Makin
22、g, Lenth, Ratcliff, Larson ASHE, 1999),26,Two Key Questions:,Why talk about the theoretical base for policy analysis? Because there are multiple ways for research to inform policy. Because there are different assumptions associated with different theoretical frames. Because policy research is inhere
23、ntly contextual. Why talk about the policy environment? Because researchers seek to influence (inform) policy decisions, and influence is inherently political.,27,Models for Understanding the Policy Process,Garbage Can Theory (Cohen and March, 1974) Bounded Rationality (Simon, 1957) Mixed Scanning Model (Etzioni, 1968) Cybernetic model (vanVught, 1969) Incremental Model Muddling Through (Lindblom, 1957) Chaos Theory (Wheatley, 1992) (Piemfors, R. (1992). Policy analysis. In B.R. Clark & G. Neave (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Higher Education Vol. III (pp. 1907-1915).,
