dr. cheryl d. lovell, associate professor, higher education, university of denver 1 an introduction...

1Dr. Cheryl D. Lovell, Associate Professor, Higher Education, University of Denver

An Introduction to Postsecondary Public Policy

Cheryl D. Lovell, Ph.D.Director, ASHE Graduate Student Seminar

Associate Professor, Higher Education Program Associate Dean, College of Education

University of Denver

ASHE Policy Seminar For Advanced Graduate StudentsNovember 16, 2005Philadelphia, PA

Understanding the Process of Understanding the Process of Policy MakingPolicy Making

And

Understanding the

Policy Issues are of

*Paramount Importance*


I. Process

ISSUE OR

PROBLEM

Societal Forces

Societal Forces

Societal Forces

Societal Forces

II. OutcomeRESULT

DECISION

For Public Good


Policy and Public Policy?Policy and Public Policy?


What is Policy?– High Level Plan– Projected Program of Desires, Objectives, and Means

to Achieve Them– Purposive Course of Action for Individuals in an

Attempt to Address a Matter of Concern (Anderson, 1995)

– A Guide for Decision-Making or a Framework Within Which Decisions Can Be Made/Setting Parameters for Making Decisions. [Lovell, C. D., & Gill, J. (1997)].


What is Public Policy?– Interdisciplinary Field of Study Based in Social

Sciences– Discussion of Issue/Concern (Process) to

Resolve for Good of All (Outcome)– Decision-Making Process for Addressing

Issues of Concern To Its Members [Lovell, C. D., & Gill, J. (1997)].


Characteristics of Good Public Policy in Postsecondary Environment (Lovell, C.D.)

All Sectors Involved/All Educational Providers (Public, Private-Independent, and Propriety-For-Profit)

Policy Represents Values, Beliefs, and Priorities of Members

Does Dictate A Specific Decision And Gives Intended Directions/Goal (Not Micromanage--Give Room to Operationalize) (Lovell, C.D.)


Public Policy Issue?• Anything A Vocal Decision Maker Wants


Major Governmental Actors Shaping Public Policy

• National/Federal• State Control/Supervising Model

Local Government• Courts (all levels)


Major Public Actors/Stakeholders

Local Communities Business Leaders Donor Community Local Officials Faculty Members Governing Boards Students Parents Institutional Leadership


Understanding Policy-MakingUnderstanding Policy-Making

The Environment Idea Formation Arena (Input) Policy Making Arena (Throughput) Policy Implementation (Output)

(Linking Research and Policy-Making, Lenth, Ratcliff, Larson ASHE, 1999)


Federal Role in Shaping Federal Role in Shaping Postsecondary Public PolicyPostsecondary Public Policy

Tax Laws Research Support Student Financial Aid Mandates (Gladieux & King, 1999)

– Funded Mandates– Unfunded Mandates (Lovell, 2001; Lovell 2000)


State Role in Shaping State Role in Shaping Postsecondary Public PolicyPostsecondary Public Policy

Classification of State Structures– Consolidated Governing Board States– Coordinating Board States– Planning Agency States


State Role in Shaping State Role in Shaping Postsecondary Public PolicyPostsecondary Public Policy

Statewide Coordination– Coordination

– Planning

– Policy Analysis and Problem Resolution

– Mission Definition

– Academic Program Review

– Budget Development, Funding Formulas, and Resource Allocation

– Program Administration

– Information, Assessment, and Accountability Systems

– Institutional Licensure and Authorization


Policy Research VS Policy AnalysisPolicy Research VS Policy Analysis

Policy Research

– Policy Formation

– Historical Account

– Overtime What Happened

Policy Analysis

– Policy Formulation

– Looking Forward

– What Needs to Happen

TODAY


Characteristics of Public Characteristics of Public Policy AnalysisPolicy Analysis

The aim is to improve and inform the solution of public problems

The object of analysis is public policy The analysis may include both scientific

and nonscientific knowledge (both data and stories)



Policy Research/AnalysisPolicy Research/Analysiscomes in a variety of forms:comes in a variety of forms:

Policy-relevant social science research Policy-oriented research outside academic

settings Political science research on policy processes

and/or policy content Economic analysis of proposed policy

alternatives(Piemfors, R. (1992). Policy analysis. In B.R. Clark & G. Neave (Eds.),

Encyclopedia of Higher Education Vol. III (pp. 1907-1915)).


Research/Analysis can affect Research/Analysis can affect policypolicy

1. Structuring of the policy problem 2. Assessment of the policy alternatives 3. Formulation of the policy recommendations 4. Formal decision-taking

(continued)

In different ways, and

at different points in time


5. Policy implementation 6. Policy evaluation 7. Feedback (including sometimes, policy

termination)(Piemfors, R. (1992). Policy analysis. In B.R. Clark & G. Neave (Eds.),


In different ways, and

at different points in time

Research/Analysis can affect Research/Analysis can affect policypolicy


Research/Analysis can affect Research/Analysis can affect policy by:policy by:

Promoting new ideas and solutions to policy problems.

Providing alternatives within a given policy framework.

Challenging or disproving closely held beliefs surrounding policy.

Nudging policy-makers to action. Promoting discourse in a democratic society.

(continued)


Research/Analysis Can Research/Analysis Can Affect Policy By:Affect Policy By:

Providing information and advice regarding existing policy.

Influencing thinking about new policy formulation. Interpreting the context or situation in which the

policy operates or is to be applied. Introducing new perspectives to policy debate. (Linking Research and Policy-Making, Lenth, Ratcliff, Larson ASHE, 1999)


Some downsides to policy Some downsides to policy research/analysis:research/analysis:

The research may be used in unintended ways. The research may be ignored. The research must compete with other

information sources for influence on policy. It is difficult to assess the impact of research on

policy.

(continued)


The conclusions and recommendations of policy research are often modified in the policy-making environment.

Ideology may prevail over evidence. Research and researchers often are seen are

an alien culture to policy makers.(Linking Research and Policy-Making, Lenth, Ratcliff, Larson ASHE,

1999)

Some downsides to policy Some downsides to policy research/analysis:research/analysis:


Improving utilization of policy Improving utilization of policy research/analysisresearch/analysis

Ways to influence the systemUnderstand the process and cultureUnderstand the art of persuasionAnticipate how the receiver will interpret the research

findings and conclusionsCommunicate based on that understandingInteract with policy makersEstablish credibility for the research effortLearn from the research on transferal of ideas

(continued)


Improving utilization of policy Improving utilization of policy research/analysisresearch/analysis

Ways to design more relevant and useful researchIdentify needs of policy makersIdentify emerging issues Be research “translators”Conduct policy-making directed researchDevelop a policy-related data base of research



Two Key Questions:Two Key Questions: Why talk about the theoretical base for

policy analysis?– Because there are multiple ways for research to inform

policy.– Because there are different assumptions associated with

different theoretical frames.– Because policy research is inherently contextual.

Why talk about the policy environment?– Because researchers seek to influence (inform) policy

decisions, and influence is inherently political.


Models for Understanding the Models for Understanding the Policy ProcessPolicy Process

Garbage Can Theory (Cohen and March, 1974) Bounded Rationality (Simon, 1957) Mixed Scanning Model (Etzioni, 1968) Cybernetic model (vanVught, 1969) Incremental Model Muddling Through (Lindblom, 1957) Chaos Theory (Wheatley, 1992)(Piemfors, R. (1992). Policy analysis. In B.R. Clark & G. Neave (Eds.),


dr. cheryl d. lovell, associate professor, higher education, university of denver 1 an introduction...

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