This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Chrispeels, J. H. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Educational Policy Implementation in a Shifting Political Climate: The California Experience

University of California, Santa Barbara

The implementation of new evaluation systems in California to assess students' complex problem-solving and critical-thinking skills aroused political controversy. This study presents a longitudinal and intertextual analysis of policymaking activity over a 10-year period to identify factors that supported local policy implementation in a shifting political climate. Evaluation data from three professional development academies designed to assist teachers and administrators in one region of the state to be leaders for assessment reform were analyzed. By examining the types of policy instruments used, comparing the policy texts, and juxtaposing these to the written and oral texts of educators from this region, the study shows how the enactment of policies over this period created a coherent policy system for California educators, built the capacity of local leaders to shape and interpret these policies, and influenced classroom practices. The analysis made visible how these three factors—coherence, capacity building, and changed practices—sustained local educators in pursuing alternative assessment even when a policy void was created at the state level by the veto of funding for the new assessment system.

American Educational Research Journal, Vol. 34, No. 3, 453-481 (1997)
DOI: 10.3102/00028312034003453


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. M. Mangin Literacy Coach Role Implementation: How District Context Influences Reform Efforts Educational Administration Quarterly, December 1, 2009; 45(5): 759 - 792. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. M. Mangin Facilitating Elementary Principals' Support for Instructional Teacher Leadership Educational Administration Quarterly, August 1, 2007; 43(3): 319 - 357. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. K. Wixson, E. Dutro, and R. G. Athan Chapter 3: The Challenge of Developing Content Standards Review of Research in Education, January 1, 2003; 27(1): 69 - 107. [PDF]