Education Policy: A New Context for Governance

Abstract

Since 1983 education policy has been in transition. The states have undertaken major initiatives to enhance academic rigor and improve student performance. These state actions have been unprecedented, particularly with respect to the variety of education issues addressed and the extent to which the actions involve state policymakers in central schooling issues. The reforms mark fundamental changes in education governance. The states have become the leaders in education policymaking. The federal role, historically small in terms of funding but important in providing programmatic leadership, has diminished in the 1980s. Relationships among state education policymakers have changed in that legislators and governors have eclipsed state boards and education experts in formulating policies related to teaching and learning. Finally, local districts feel that their autonomy is severely threatened by the reforms and wonder whether local control is still a viable concept.