You'll explore the history, current issues, and future of education systems. Topics include school funding, standardized testing, teacher evaluation, school choice, and equity in education. You'll analyze policies at local, state, and federal levels, and learn how to critically assess their impacts on students, teachers, and communities.

Is Education Policy and Reform hard?

It's not the easiest course, but it's definitely manageable. The trickiest part is wrapping your head around complex policy issues and their far-reaching effects. You'll need to do a fair bit of reading and stay up-to-date with current events in education. But if you're interested in the topic, it can be pretty engaging and even eye-opening at times.

Tips for taking Education Policy and Reform in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
Stay on top of education news - follow education reporters on Twitter or set up Google alerts
Practice analyzing policies from multiple perspectives (students, teachers, administrators, policymakers)
Watch documentaries like "Waiting for Superman" or "Race to Nowhere" for real-world context
Form a study group to discuss and debate policy issues
Keep an open mind - education policy is often more complex than it seems at first glance
Use concept maps to visualize connections between different policies and their impacts

Common pre-requisites for Education Policy and Reform

Introduction to Education: This course provides an overview of the American education system, its history, and current issues. You'll learn about different educational philosophies and get a foundation for understanding policy debates.
American Government: This class covers the structure and function of the U.S. government. It's helpful for understanding how education policies are created and implemented at different levels of government.

Classes similar to Education Policy and Reform

Sociology of Education: Examines how social factors like race, class, and gender impact educational experiences and outcomes. You'll explore concepts like cultural capital and the hidden curriculum.
Economics of Education: Focuses on the financial aspects of education systems. You'll learn about school funding models, teacher labor markets, and the economic returns to education.
Comparative Education: Looks at education systems around the world. You'll analyze how different countries approach common challenges and what we can learn from international comparisons.
Education Law: Covers legal issues in education, including student rights, teacher contracts, and special education laws. You'll learn about landmark court cases that have shaped education policy.

Education Studies: Focuses on the social, cultural, and political contexts of education. Students learn about educational theory, policy, and practice from interdisciplinary perspectives.
Public Policy: Examines how governments address social issues through laws and regulations. Students learn about policy analysis, implementation, and evaluation across various sectors, including education.
Political Science: Studies political systems, institutions, and behaviors. Students analyze how policies are made and implemented, including in the education sector.
Sociology: Explores social structures, interactions, and inequalities. Students examine how education systems reflect and perpetuate societal norms and disparities.

What can you do with a degree in Education Policy and Reform?

Education Policy Analyst: Works for government agencies, think tanks, or advocacy groups to research and evaluate education policies. They analyze data, write reports, and make recommendations to improve educational outcomes.
School Administrator: Manages the daily operations of schools or school districts. They implement policies, oversee budgets, and work to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
Education Consultant: Advises schools, districts, or organizations on improving their educational programs. They might specialize in areas like curriculum development, technology integration, or school turnaround strategies.
Nonprofit Program Manager: Runs educational programs for nonprofit organizations. They might focus on areas like after-school programs, college access, or teacher professional development.