3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

Since the creation of public schools, education in the US has predominantly been a state and local prerogative. Through this course, students will acquire an empirically-grounded and theoretically-informed understanding of state and local education policy and politics, investigating how various actors, institutions, interests, and issue contexts influence the development, implementation, and outcomes of education policies within and across states and school districts. Through engagement with primary data, documents, and in-depth case studies of different jurisdictions and policy issues, students will develop an appreciation of the complexity of state and local education governance, the opportunities this system presents for educational innovation and diversity, the challenges of reforming education through policy, and the role of research in shaping policy. The course will also introduce students to the concept of intergovernmental relations and the implications of this dynamic for education policymaking and outcomes. Ultimately, the course will push students to engage in thoughtful discussions about the contours, purpose, promise, and limitations of state and local education policy.