INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION POLICY
Introduction to K-12 education policy, policy processes, and school governance in the United States. Examines the multiple and sometimes conflicting goals that animate education debates; the discourses and representations of schools, students, and education policies that shape policy and politics; research on education and education policy; and the various lenses and conceptual tools that can help us understand education policy. Includes original policy texts, empirical and conceptual research, current events, and film. Considers how key themes may be useful (or not) for thinking about early childhood education, higher education, and K-12 education in historical and contemporary, US and and global, contexts.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: None Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Elementary L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Critically analyze the multiple purposes, complex governance and politics, contested discourses, and major problems and policies in education. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Demonstrate familiarity with and ability to discern between competing perspectives on education policy. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Apply concepts and knowledge from the course to analyzing new policies, reform proposals, and current events. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Utilize the skills developed in this class, combined with values and experiences, to develop and defend policy positions. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Critically analyze the multiple purposes, complex governance and politics, contested discourses, and major problems and policies in education. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Demonstrate familiarity with and ability to discern between competing perspectives on education policy. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Apply concepts and knowledge from the course to analyzing new policies, reform proposals, and current events. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Utilize the skills developed in this class, combined with values and experiences, to develop and defend policy positions. Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027