Educational Policy in the 21st Century: Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions – Serie

Broad-based, inclusive decision-making is the historical foundation for determining what should and can be taught, how institutions should grow, and who should become a part of the academic community. This text brings together authors to examine faculty governance from a historical perspective, tracing trends and common themes to the present day. It offers real-life strategies for building shared decision-making environments. Chapters deal with how governance is defined and utilized, different aspects of internal governance performance, the relationships between administrators and faculty, the roles that middle managers play, and how faculty leaders arise and communicate with their administrative counterparts.

Broad-based, inclusive decision-making is the historical foundation for determining what should and can be taught, how institutions should grow, and who should become a part of the academic community. This text brings together authors to examine faculty governance from a historical perspective, tracing trends and common themes to the present day. It offers real-life strategies for building shared decision-making environments. Chapters deal with how governance is defined and utilized, different aspects of internal governance performance, the relationships between administrators and faculty, the roles that middle managers play, and how faculty leaders arise and communicate with their administrative counterparts.

The primary contribution of this book, is not its advocacy of a specific position but rather, its objective analysis of cogent topics. The content prompts us to consider governance in relation to quality education and to ponder alternative policy strategies that have yet to be fully evaluated. As a young doctoral student more than a few years ago, William Van Til, an eminent scholar and a mentor, reminded me almost daily that members of the education profession had a moral responsibility to address the most difficult questions about education and democracy. These enduring queries, he argued, extended to determining how this critical social service should be organized and controlled and to determining the appropriate roles for administrators and teachers. Those in our profession who fail to heed his advice by remaining indifferent to these philosophical dilemmas should consider Plato’s long-standing warning: “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

The primary contribution of this book, is not its advocacy of a specific position but rather, its objective analysis of cogent topics. The content prompts us to consider governance in relation to quality education and to ponder alternative policy strategies that have yet to be fully evaluated. As a young doctoral student more than a few years ago, William Van Til, an eminent scholar and a mentor, reminded me almost daily that members of the education profession had a moral responsibility to address the most difficult questions about education and democracy. These enduring queries, he argued, extended to determining how this critical social service should be organized and controlled and to determining the appropriate roles for administrators and teachers. Those in our profession who fail to heed his advice by remaining indifferent to these philosophical dilemmas should consider Plato’s long-standing warning: “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

Colleges and universities face a variety of challenges in meeting the needs of students, and one of the greatest is their ability to respond to student needs while protecting institutional and academic integrity. For those working with students, a primary example of this challenge is the involvement of students in shared decision-making, a process often developed and fostered through organizations such as student government. Few discussions have embraced the challenges of shared governance with students, particularly within the past two decades. This book arose from continuous conversations with college and university administrators and policy makers who struggle daily with the decision-making process and the role of student voices. The volume is also intended to be an extension of the Julie Caplow and Michael Miller volume on Policy and University Governance (2003) that looked at internal and external governance issues and their impact on institutional policy formation and decision-making.The collections of chapters included here provide a comprehensive view of student involvement in policy formation and decisionmaking. The volume begins with a general overview of the challenges associated with investing students with power, authored by Tulane University’s Morolaké O. Laosebikan-Buggs. Michael Miller and Daniel Nadler then provide a rationale as to why students have been involved in shared decision-making in the past, outline the benefits and problems historically associated with student shared governance, and offer some meaningful recommendations for continuing to work with students.

Colleges and universities face a variety of challenges in meeting the needs of students, and one of the greatest is their ability to respond to student needs while protecting institutional and academic integrity. For those working with students, a primary example of this challenge is the involvement of students in shared decision-making, a process often developed and fostered through organizations such as student government. Few discussions have embraced the challenges of shared governance with students, particularly within the past two decades. This book arose from continuous conversations with college and university administrators and policy makers who struggle daily with the decision-making process and the role of student voices. The volume is also intended to be an extension of the Julie Caplow and Michael Miller volume on Policy and University Governance (2003) that looked at internal and external governance issues and their impact on institutional policy formation and decision-making.The collections of chapters included here provide a comprehensive view of student involvement in policy formation and decisionmaking. The volume begins with a general overview of the challenges associated with investing students with power, authored by Tulane University’s Morolaké O. Laosebikan-Buggs. Michael Miller and Daniel Nadler then provide a rationale as to why students have been involved in shared decision-making in the past, outline the benefits and problems historically associated with student shared governance, and offer some meaningful recommendations for continuing to work with students.

The goal of this book is to generate discussion not only about how we can create meaningful educational experiences for all learners, but to challenge systems that necessitate a resilient nature. Ultimately, the authors promote the need for a foundation of socially just policies and practices in all educational settings and respond to the question: How does a paradigm of resiliency translate into institutional change that benefits everyone?

The goal of this book is to generate discussion not only about how we can create meaningful educational experiences for all learners, but to challenge systems that necessitate a resilient nature. Ultimately, the authors promote the need for a foundation of socially just policies and practices in all educational settings and respond to the question: How does a paradigm of resiliency translate into institutional change that benefits everyone?

Higher Education is a vibrant, changing field of study. With roots in multiple disciplines, these degree programs prepare the administrators, faculty, and policy makers who direct the current and future higher education enterprise. At a time when higher education is changing rapidly, these programs are poised to frame the future of an educated society. This book examines all aspects of how Higher Education programs operate - from their marketing, focus on student affairs and community colleges, the emergence of online programs and core curricula. Authors from a broad and diverse spectrum of institutions map the current setting of Higher Education programs with an eye on future directions for their livelihood and survival.

Higher Education is a vibrant, changing field of study. With roots in multiple disciplines, these degree programs prepare the administrators, faculty, and policy makers who direct the current and future higher education enterprise. At a time when higher education is changing rapidly, these programs are poised to frame the future of an educated society. This book examines all aspects of how Higher Education programs operate - from their marketing, focus on student affairs and community colleges, the emergence of online programs and core curricula. Authors from a broad and diverse spectrum of institutions map the current setting of Higher Education programs with an eye on future directions for their livelihood and survival.

This volume of The David C. Anchin Research Center Series on Educational Policy in the 21st century: Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions focuses on tribal colleges and universities. As a recent member of higher education community, tribal colleges and universities provide a unique perspective on higher education policy. Policies and structures rely increasingly on native culture and traditions and yet provide the framework for academic rigor, collaboration, and relevance.Tribal Colleges and Universities have played an integral role in the growing numbers of students who attain the bachelor’s degree. According to Ward (2002), these colleges and universities experienced a five-fold increase in student enrollment between 1982 and 1996. As it stands today, approximately 142,800 American Indians and Alaska Natives who are 25 and older hold a graduate or professional degree (Diverse, 2007), and Tribal Colleges and Universities have been integral to this graduate level attainment.With this edited volume, Dr. Linda Sue Warner and Dr. Gerald E. Gipp, and the invited scholarly contributors, have provided a comprehensive explication of the phenomenal history of Tribal Colleges and Universities in the United States and the policy issues and concerns that these colleges and universities face.

This volume of The David C. Anchin Research Center Series on Educational Policy in the 21st century: Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions focuses on tribal colleges and universities. As a recent member of higher education community, tribal colleges and universities provide a unique perspective on higher education policy. Policies and structures rely increasingly on native culture and traditions and yet provide the framework for academic rigor, collaboration, and relevance.Tribal Colleges and Universities have played an integral role in the growing numbers of students who attain the bachelor’s degree. According to Ward (2002), these colleges and universities experienced a five-fold increase in student enrollment between 1982 and 1996. As it stands today, approximately 142,800 American Indians and Alaska Natives who are 25 and older hold a graduate or professional degree (Diverse, 2007), and Tribal Colleges and Universities have been integral to this graduate level attainment.With this edited volume, Dr. Linda Sue Warner and Dr. Gerald E. Gipp, and the invited scholarly contributors, have provided a comprehensive explication of the phenomenal history of Tribal Colleges and Universities in the United States and the policy issues and concerns that these colleges and universities face.

This volume is a critical and objective study of the contemporary college student athlete. Framed around the process of recruitment, transition, and support of student athletes in higher education, the volume is a response to societal pressures to reform college athletics. Driven by publicity and the potential for revenue gains, colleges and universities have invested heavily in developing athletic programs, coaches, and facilities. Yet few resources are invested strategically in the personal and intellectual development of student athletes.Written by a team of authors with first-hand experience working with student athletes and transitional programs, the volume argues that institutional attention must be directed at caring for the personal and intellectual growth of student athletes. Highlighting some best-practice curricula and exploring the psychological issues surrounding participating in often highly-competitive athletics, the authors consistently conclude that institutional responsibility is of the utmost and immediate importance.Authors also consider the unique settings of student athletes in community and private liberal arts colleges, demonstrating the broad interest in athletics and institutional competition. The result is an important volume that will be of interest to those who counsel and administer intercollegiate athletic programs, faculty and researchers looking for insightful baseline data on the contemporary student athlete, and those concerned with transitional programsand the future of higher education.

This volume is a critical and objective study of the contemporary college student athlete. Framed around the process of recruitment, transition, and support of student athletes in higher education, the volume is a response to societal pressures to reform college athletics. Driven by publicity and the potential for revenue gains, colleges and universities have invested heavily in developing athletic programs, coaches, and facilities. Yet few resources are invested strategically in the personal and intellectual development of student athletes.Written by a team of authors with first-hand experience working with student athletes and transitional programs, the volume argues that institutional attention must be directed at caring for the personal and intellectual growth of student athletes. Highlighting some best-practice curricula and exploring the psychological issues surrounding participating in often highly-competitive athletics, the authors consistently conclude that institutional responsibility is of the utmost and immediate importance.Authors also consider the unique settings of student athletes in community and private liberal arts colleges, demonstrating the broad interest in athletics and institutional competition. The result is an important volume that will be of interest to those who counsel and administer intercollegiate athletic programs, faculty and researchers looking for insightful baseline data on the contemporary student athlete, and those concerned with transitional programsand the future of higher education.

The number of staff members serving American higher education institutions has more than doubled in the past twenty years, as occupations in technology, development, government relations, and even athletic administration have grown as never before in the history of the academy. As the number, variety, and importance of these positions have grown, so has the need for their involvement in determining the direction and vision of the contemporary university. Often in opposition or cast in a competing light, staff governance bodies are positioned within the governance framework of faculty, students, trustees, and even legislatures, all bound together by formal and legal authority guidelines. The current volume is among the very first to explore this landscape, and begins with a critical evaluation of the context of how staff are involved in decision-making. The text devotes six chapters to an in-depth exploration of the environment where staff governance is used: in private and community colleges, with athletics and student affairs, in collective bargaining environments, and how the inclusion of staff can be an asset to institutional self-determination. The final section describes the array of topics staff governance bodies address, and shares a case study of one professional administrator who chaired a staff senate. The concluding chapter outlines the implications in policy formation, evaluation, and agenda setting for the involvement of staff in the higher education community. The book is a must read for new, senior college administrators, staff governance leaders, practitioners in human resource management, those concerned about democracy in education, and scholars studying higher education management.

The number of staff members serving American higher education institutions has more than doubled in the past twenty years, as occupations in technology, development, government relations, and even athletic administration have grown as never before in the history of the academy. As the number, variety, and importance of these positions have grown, so has the need for their involvement in determining the direction and vision of the contemporary university. Often in opposition or cast in a competing light, staff governance bodies are positioned within the governance framework of faculty, students, trustees, and even legislatures, all bound together by formal and legal authority guidelines. The current volume is among the very first to explore this landscape, and begins with a critical evaluation of the context of how staff are involved in decision-making. The text devotes six chapters to an in-depth exploration of the environment where staff governance is used: in private and community colleges, with athletics and student affairs, in collective bargaining environments, and how the inclusion of staff can be an asset to institutional self-determination. The final section describes the array of topics staff governance bodies address, and shares a case study of one professional administrator who chaired a staff senate. The concluding chapter outlines the implications in policy formation, evaluation, and agenda setting for the involvement of staff in the higher education community. The book is a must read for new, senior college administrators, staff governance leaders, practitioners in human resource management, those concerned about democracy in education, and scholars studying higher education management.

What do teachers, principals, school administrators, superintendents, state policy makers, and parents need to know about the growing trend to use technology in physical activity environments? How can technology be used to increase not only fitness levels but academic learning in today’s youth? How can kids benefit from increased use of technology in physical education? These questions and others are answered in this volume of the series Educational Policy in the 21st Century: Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions.An entire generation is growing up without the benefits of daily physical activity. The daily experiences of our children are centered on the use of technology driven, mostly sedentary, activities. Technology should be considered a viable tool that can increase physical activity levels when implemented effectively. The lack of contemporary programs and strategies that motivate participants to want to participate daily in physical activity has created a culture of inactivity and obesity and is having a profound effect on the physical health and academic learning potential of today’s youth.In this volume the authors suggest current trends and explore the enormous potential of technology in motivating youth to commit to daily physical activity. Authors detail contemporary programs, teaching strategies and contemporary technologies beginning to be used in schools across the country, and suggest policies, directions, and cost considerations for implementing technology based learning in physical activity and physical education settings.

What do teachers, principals, school administrators, superintendents, state policy makers, and parents need to know about the growing trend to use technology in physical activity environments? How can technology be used to increase not only fitness levels but academic learning in today’s youth? How can kids benefit from increased use of technology in physical education? These questions and others are answered in this volume of the series Educational Policy in the 21st Century: Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions.An entire generation is growing up without the benefits of daily physical activity. The daily experiences of our children are centered on the use of technology driven, mostly sedentary, activities. Technology should be considered a viable tool that can increase physical activity levels when implemented effectively. The lack of contemporary programs and strategies that motivate participants to want to participate daily in physical activity has created a culture of inactivity and obesity and is having a profound effect on the physical health and academic learning potential of today’s youth.In this volume the authors suggest current trends and explore the enormous potential of technology in motivating youth to commit to daily physical activity. Authors detail contemporary programs, teaching strategies and contemporary technologies beginning to be used in schools across the country, and suggest policies, directions, and cost considerations for implementing technology based learning in physical activity and physical education settings.

Cultural Competence in America’s Schools: Leadership, Engagement and Understanding focuses on explicating the impact of culture and issues of race and ethnicity on student learning, teacher and leadership efficacy, and educational policy making in our nation’s public school system. The authors agree with Levin (2012), who pointed out that the challenge of dealing effectively with racial and ethnic diversity in education in traditionally homogeneous societies is a global problem. One indicator of this point is revealed in a U.S. study that was commissioned by the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality, which reported on the serious consequences for student achievement and teacher effectiveness in the face of 'the gap between teacher training and the realities of the classroom when it comes to teaching diverse populations and students with special needs.' (Public Agenda, 2008, p. 2).

Cultural Competence in America’s Schools: Leadership, Engagement and Understanding focuses on explicating the impact of culture and issues of race and ethnicity on student learning, teacher and leadership efficacy, and educational policy making in our nation’s public school system. The authors agree with Levin (2012), who pointed out that the challenge of dealing effectively with racial and ethnic diversity in education in traditionally homogeneous societies is a global problem. One indicator of this point is revealed in a U.S. study that was commissioned by the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality, which reported on the serious consequences for student achievement and teacher effectiveness in the face of 'the gap between teacher training and the realities of the classroom when it comes to teaching diverse populations and students with special needs.' (Public Agenda, 2008, p. 2).

Over the past 30 years our public school system has received an unprecedented amount of attention as this concerns methods of school reform and policy strategies for bringing about this reform. During the 1980s the emphasis of school reform was on transparency through school-community partnerships. Business and philanthropy, for example, became involved with issues of schooling that was unheard of prior to this period. The 1980s also gave rise to issues of school finance and student performance that went beyond traditional views that tended to focus on finance “adequacy” to views that focused more on school finance arrangements that would lead to actual “equitable outcomes” in student performance.The 1990s witnessed the emergence of the comprehensive school reform movement whereby curriculum outsourcing occurred at rates that had never occurred before. With this movement, the role of teachers and school leaders in the creation of school curriculum diminished as school districts increasingly purchased vendor-related curriculum packages, which included teacher and leader training modules and methods of curriculum assessment. On the heels of the increasing tendency of school districts to outsource school curriculum to curriculum-vendors came a rise in demands for school accountability and school outcomes. This was particularly evident with the passage of No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) (2001). NCLB was also developed within a political context that called for demands in the academic improvement of schools and school districts that housed historically disenfranchised students. These demands were particularly important as the nation experienced and continues to experience dramatic increases in student racial and ethnic diversity.This volume, entitled, Leading Schools in Challenging Times: Eye to the Future, discusses varying types of school leadership in the context of key topics that have been at the center of on-going school reform in the United States. These topics include challenges, opportunities and issues associated with our administrator and teacher leadership pipeline, preparation and development; leadership and school finance reform, leadership and changing student and population demographics; leadership and the role of community; issues of leadership, policy, public accountability and school performance outcomes. The authors also explicate these issues with a view to the future and the status of leadership in our public school system.