The Politics of Schooling: Who and What Shape Education Policy

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

How do today’s biggest education policy debates shape the future of America’s schools? This course invites students to explore the urgent questions at the center of federal and state K-12 policymaking. From the controversy surrounding vouchers and charter schools, to debates over how best to prepare and retain high-quality teachers, to disputes about curriculum and cultural representation, and the ongoing fight for equitable funding—this course will examine the challenges and trade-offs that define education policymaking. Students will study the theoretical foundations of each issue and analyze what the latest research reveals about their impacts on students, schools, and society. A distinctive feature of the course is a series of conversations with leading experts in education policy, practice, and research. These dialogues will give students firsthand insight into how policymakers, practitioners, and researchers grapple with these issues in real time and shape the future of K-12 education.