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EDS 812 Policy Analysis in Education
Convenor: Paul Ashwin
Team Taught
What is 'policy'? This module draws on a range of social theory to demonstrate how academic interpretations of the 'policy process' (which includes not only the formulation and declaration of policy but also its implementation in practice) have evolved in recent years. We will test these interpretations in an analysis of examples of policy documents and their outcomes, some of them our choice, and some yours. We then step behind the policy process to look at the broad underlying themes of educational change from the post-war period to the present day: what have been the guiding preoccupations of the key actors in the policy process, and how have these affected, and been affected by, changing relationships between the state and the education system? Having set the scene, we can then turn to a number of key policy areas for a more detailed analysis : examples will include inclusivity and disaffection, home-school relationships, the expansion of educational opportunity, and the 'economic turn' in education policy.
Teaching and learning are organised around a mix of tutor presentations, seminar and group-problem working, discussion and associated activities, individual and shared readings. Work preparing for and then writing the two assignments makes a substantial contribution to your overall learning.
Brief Syllabus
- Policy-making and policy implementation; the limits of rational policy making
- Key issues in post-war educational policy: expansion, equity, improvement/quality, accountability, value for money, economic development
- Education and the state - relationships, functions, discourse
- Analysis of examples of policy implementation
Assessment
Assessment is by means of two pieces of coursework: a critical review of a target paper (1500 words) and a policy analysis of your choice (3500 words).
Recommended preparatory reading:
Trowler, P. (2003) Education Policy, Second Edition, Gildridge Social Policy Series, London, Routledge.
Ozga, J. (2000) Policy Research in Educational Settings: Contested terrain. Buckingham, Open University Press.
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