1st Edition

Essentials of Education Policy Processes and Possibilities

By William Ewell Copyright 2025
    424 Pages 21 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    424 Pages 21 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Essentials of Education Policy improves students’ and educational leaders’ understanding of the complex education policy system in the US.

    Through an applied pedagogical approach that connects analytical concepts from public policy and education research to professional practice, the book offers academic content and applications for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education leaders. Grounded in pillars of policy studies—educational foundations, governance structures and policy subsystems, the policy process, and specific policy issues—the book provides educational leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve fundamental inequities in American education, and empowers them to become change agents. 

    This engaging textbook will be essential reading for students and scholars in Education Policy, Leadership, and Educational Foundations, as well as for educational leaders.

    Part I: Foundations of Education Policy  Chapter 1: Introduction  Chapter 2: The History of American Education  Chapter 3: Theories of Power and Education Policy  Part II: Education Governance  Chapter 4: Federal Education Governance  Chapter 5: State Education Governance  Chapter 6: Local Education Governance  Part III: The Policy Process  Chapter 7: Issue Definition, Agenda Setting, and Policy Formulation  Chapter 8: Policy Implementation and Evaluation  Chapter 9: Education Finance Systems  Part IV:  Education Policy Issues  Chapter 10: K–12 Education Policy  Chapter 11: Higher Education Policy

    Biography

    William Ewell is a Teaching Professor of Education Policy at Northeastern University College of Professional Studies, USA. His government career included more than a decade of service in the U.S. Congress and in state government improving education policy systems.