1. Disseminating Research to Policymakers
Gina Burkhardt
Learning Point Associates
August 25, 2005

2. Education Policymakers: Who Are They?
Superintendents and other local education officials (school board members)
Chief state school officers; State Boards of Education
State higher education executive officers
State legislators
Governors and their educational policy advisors
Congress and their staff members
Education association directors

3. Related to Research, Policymakers say they….
Read research reports some or most of the time
Get information from the Internet, electronic mailing lists, ERIC, professional conferences, RELs, journals, magazines, professional organizations

4. About Research? Policymakers Say that…..
Much of what they receive is overly academic, and too theoretical
Most does not meet their immediate needs
Most does not specifically address differences in demographics or geography
Most is too often based on methodology that is less than rigorous
Most is often biased by political or marketing agendas
Synectics 2003

5. Most Helpful Research? Policymakers say …..
Is timely and provides reliable data for answering common questions about complex issues
Is based on rigorous methodology and is delivered by credible sources
Addresses current and critical state policy issues
TQ Source Survey 2004

6. Using the Research? Policymakers say it can …
Clarify an issue (i.e., making it more complex or more simple)
Identify and provide options to consider
Make a compelling argument to strengthen and enlarge coalitions
Help to reorder the political agenda by moving a problem up or down in priority
Affect the design of specific provisions in a law or policy

7. Connecting Research to Policymakers: What to do?
Know your audience and address their issue
Don’t assume background knowledge
Present findings of interest (delete the extraneous)
Present timely, accurate information
Offer relevant scenarios – include interpretation and application of the research

8. Connecting Research to Policymakers: What to do?
Provide policy recommendations
Apply a journalistic approach (headlines, executive summaries, chapter summaries)
Use language that is accessible and jargon-free
Provide questions that could be asked and answers that can be delivered

9. Connecting Research to Policymakers: How to do it?
Use multiple modalities (full reports and summaries, audio and print, internet and hard copy, in-person and remote)
Network, network, network – build relationships and nurture them continuously
Identify and work through a key conduit
Be proactive and provide information upfront as policy issues are percolating

10. Apply Research to Policymaking in order to…..
Set and/or validate agenda
Guide the questions asked as the policy is designed
Identify complexities and/or considerations
Identify gaps in knowledge and application
Connect action across localities

11. Potential Impact of Applying Research to Policymaking
Policy decisions will become based on fact rather than assumption and/or anecdote
Research will become more accessible, understandable, contextual, defensible
Research and Policy practices will be pushed to include quality assurance mechanisms

12. Potential Impact of Applying Research to Policymaking
Policy will drive research and research will drive policy decisions
Research will become an essential ingredient in setting a federal, state or local policy agenda
More constituencies will be equipped to advocate for and/or question research and policies practices and decisions

13. Recommendations to Support a Connection
Ensure there is a strong underlying research methodology and quality assurance practice (if the audience does not like what they are hearing this is the first line of attack)
Don’t get lost in detail – make your message accessible and direct. Speak first to the constituents’ primary concern
Find a key conduit and develop and nurture a relationship

14. Recommendations to Support a Connection
Don’t make assumptions about your audience’s background, knowledge, or level of ability to interpret or adapt the research to complex contexts or situations
Offer to provide application support. Beware of “hot buttons” taking over the more important message
Release information in small chunks, in sequence, and pay attention to writing good summaries

15. Recommendations to Support a Connection
Beware of politicize possibilities
Use multiple modalities that are jargon free and include graphics
Emphasize the results

16. And most importantly do not ever say…..
IT DEPENDS!!!!

17. P: > F:
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