1. Fowler Ch. 6 The Major Education Policy Actors
Dr. Nith Bunlay and Dr. Wayne E. Wright
Royal University of Phnom Penh

2. Focus Questions Who are the major participants in the policy process?
Which participants are the most influential?
How can educational leaders identify the major players in their own states and obtain information about them?
How can educational leaders follow educational policy making?

3. The Dramatis Personae of the Policy Drama
We can think of policy making as a play or movie
Individuals actively involved in the policy process are called policy actors
Together they make up the dramatis personae – the cast of characters.

4. Most Influential Policy Actors
Research suggests that the following is the rank order of the most influential policy actors
1. Individual legislators
2. Legislature as a whole
3. Chief state school officer
4. Education interests groups combined
5. Teachers’ organizations
6. Governor and executive staff
7. Legislative staff
8. State Board of education
9. School boards’ associations
10. Administrators’ associations
11. Courts
12. Federal Government
13. Noneducator groups
14. Lay groups
15. Education research organizations
Activity:
Make a list of the Education Policy Actors in Cambodia. Rank them in order of influence. Compare it with this list.

5. Presentation Overview
Major government actors
Elected and appointed officials
Non-government actors
Interest groups
Policy planning organizations
Media
Practical suggestions for identifying policy actors and getting information about them.

6. Government Actors The Legislative Branch
The legislature
Major function is the development and passage of statues, one type of law.
Before developing bills, will hold public hearings, and seek expert opinion
Review existing laws
Continue them
Amend (change) them
Repeal (eliminate) them
Approve the government’s budget
Investigate issues of importance or concern

7. Government Actors The Legislative Branch
In the United States
Most legislatures have two chambers or “houses”
Senate
Smaller number of representatives
Generally serve longer terms (4-6 years)
House of Representatives
In some states called the Assembly, General Assembly, or House of Delegates
Generally serve shorter terms (2 years)
Each chamber or house has committees that work on specific issues
Ex: Education Committee
A separate committee determines how much money will be budgeted for a new law
Called the Finance Committee, Appropriations Committee, or the Ways and Means Committee
Members of these education and finance committees are major education policy actors
Staff members of the legislatures work behind the scenes, but can also be very important education policy actors

8. Government Actors The Executive Branch
Governors
In the U.S. the leader of each state government is called the governor
Tend to less influence on educational policy than legislators and other actors, but still have substantial influence
Governors often act as “issue catalysts” in state policy making.
They select key issues, publicize them in speeches, and leads the public and the legislature to focus on them.
National Governors’ Organization
Organization of the governors of the 50 states
Has its own headquarters in Washington DC
Conducts its own research and lobbies the federal government
Has helped to set national educational policy issues

9. Government Actors The Executive Branch
State Boards of Education
A group of 9 to 11 members
In 2/3 of the states, members are appointed by the governor
Most members are not educators
Duties
Developing and/or approving rules and regulations in implementing educational laws enacted by the legislature
Developing certification requirements for K-12 teachers and administrators
Approving and monitoring educational assessment programs, like state tests
Setting minimum high-school graduation requirements
Determining accreditation standards
Hearing appeals from teachers and administrators

10. Executive Branch Chief State School Officer
Each state has a chief state school officer
Similar to the Minister of Education in Cambodia
In 35 states, they are appointed by the State Board of Education
Usually an experienced educator
Likely to work independently from the governor and follow their own educational agenda
In 9 states they are appointed by the Governor
Very likely to follow the governor’s education priorities
In 15 states, they are elected by the people
Usually a politician outside of the education system
Most likely to push their own education agenda, which may not be in agreement with the governor, legislature, or state board of education

11. Executive Branch State Department of Education
Each state has its own state department of education
Similar to MOEYS in Cambodia
One of the most important education policy actors in the state
The Chief State School Office is the leader of the department
Duties
Provide the legislature with data and information
Develop the rules and regulations for implementing policies
Providing assistance to schools in implementing policies
Monitor schools to ensure compliance
Policy Influence
While officially only a bureaucratic institution, the Department of Education’s resources are used to push the Chief State School Officers policy agenda
But individuals within the department might oppose and work against the agenda.

12. The Judicial Branch State Department of Education
State Courts
Federal Courts
U.S. Supreme Court
Judges can have significant influence over education policy
Decisions issued in education-related lawsuits often result in new policies that must be acted up by state legislatures and state departments of education
Ex: Brown vs. Board of Education in the 1950s led the eventual desegregation of American Schools.
Made it possible for Black and White students to attend the same schools

13. Local Government Actors
Local Boards of Education
Each school district has its own board of education
Set local policy within the requirements of state and federal policy
Superintendents
Appointed by the local school board
Is responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the schools
Chief enforcer of local, state, and federal policies within the school district
Typically are active in fighting for changes to education policy and for developing new policies

14. Nongovernmental Policy Actors
Interest Groups
An association of individuals or organizations that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempt to influence public policy in their favor
Education interest groups include teachers and administrator organizations
National Education Association
American Federation of Teachers
American Association of School Administrators
Interest groups have their own offices, staff, resources, and hire lobbyist to work with and influence the legislature.

15. Nongovernmental Policy Actors
Noneducation interest groups who try to influence education policy
Business groups
Religious groups
Ethnic groups
Civil Liberties and human rights groups
Policy Planning Organizations
Often called “Think Tanks”
Usually funded by rich individuals, corporations, or foundations
Support the agenda of the funders
Conduct research and issues policy papers
Lobbying efforts to influence the legislature

16. The Media
Mass Media
Print media (newspapers, magazines)
Broadcast media (TV, Radio)
Internet
Report on policy issues and the policy making process
Influence policy issues and the policy making process
Help raise education problems to become policy issues by raising awareness and reporting on them
Often reflect the policy agenda of the paper’s editor and/or funding source
Publish opinion pieces written by the editors, columnists, policy actors, or members of the public
Often take official positions related to policy debates
Often endorse specific candidates in elections

17. Identifying and Learning about Policy Actors
In order to interact with and influence policy actors, you first must find out who they are, what they do, and what issues they care about.
Sources for information
Websites of government organizations
Websites of non-government education organizations
Official telephone directories
Newspaper articles about policy issues
Recent policy reports

18. Discussion Questions
Look at your list of the major policy actors in Cambodia from the opening activity. Discuss why you ranked these the way you did.
In Cambodia one major policy actor is the Education NGOs. Describe their role and influence in Cambodia on the education policy process?
What are the best resources for getting information about individual education policy actors in Cambodia?

19. Policy Discussion Circle (#3)
Break into 3 small groups
As a group, read and discuss the article on p in the textbook.
Case Study: “Stop the Bullies!” The Politics of Accountability
On a sheet of paper
Write Policy Discussion Circle #3
Write down all the members of the group
Discuss and write down the answers for questions 1 -3.
Give the sheet of paper to the instructor at the end of the class
Report to the whole group
Each group will present their answers to one of the questions.