scholarly journals Political appointees vs. elected officials: Examining how the selection mechanism for state governing agency board members influences responsiveness to stakeholders in higher education policy-making

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Rubin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
National Policy ◽  
State Agency ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Selection Mechanism ◽  
Political Appointees ◽  
State Higher Education

Through an exploratory comparative case study of two U.S. states (Georgia and Nevada), this study investigates how the selection mechanism to state higher education governing agency boards influences the responsiveness of board members to stakeholders and their role in the policy-making process. Framed around the recent national policy agenda to improve postsecondary degree attainment and college completion, findings suggest that state agency board members in both states prioritized the opinions, insights, and goals of the state governor and governing agency staff, regardless of selection mechanism. However, for more localized issues and on-the-ground decision-making, stakeholders formally involved in the day-to-day operation of higher education, such as administrators, faculty, and students, serve a larger role, though this influence can be mediated by the selection mechanism of board members.

College Completion, the Texas Way: An Examination of the Development of College Completion Policy in a Distinctive Political Culture

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-40
Author(s):  
Denisa Gándara ◽  
James C. Hearn
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
The State ◽  
College Completion ◽  
Policy Actors ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
State Higher Education

Background College-completion policies dominate state higher education policy agendas. Yet we know little about how policy actors make decisions—and what sources of evidence they use—within this policy domain. Focus of Study This study explores the use of evidence in college-completion policymaking in depth, focusing on Texas. In addition to exploring policymakers’ use of different types of information, this study examines the role played by intermediaries. Research Design We employed a qualitative case study design drawing on interviews with 32 policy actors engaged in college-completion policy in Texas. Our analysis consisted of both deductive coding (based on our a priori coding scheme) and inductive coding (based on emerging themes) to arrive at our four major findings. Findings/Results The analysis revealed four primary findings. The first theme suggests an insular culture of college-completion policymaking: Policymakers at various levels preferred Texas-based data and rejected the notion that external groups contributed to setting the college completion agenda in Texas. Second, business groups and a business ethos permeated college-completion policymaking in Texas. Third, research evidence was seldom employed in this policy process, partly because policymakers prefer concise and timely information. Finally, the study uncovered a new tactic for supplying research employed by certain intermediaries: punchy messaging, which was effective at garnering attention but also yielded unintended consequences. Conclusions/Recommendations Overwhelmingly, higher education policy actors tended to prefer Texas-based data. Respondents cited three major reasons for this preference: the high quality of the state higher education coordinating board's data, Texas's unique demographics, and the accessibility of statewide data. These findings reflect the mediating role that is played not only by state structural characteristics, but also by culture. Perceptions of Texas's distinctive inward-looking nature permeated our interviews and set the stage for the role that intermediaries played in the state and the preferences for information. Intermediaries wishing to inform college-completion policy activity at the state level should consider the uniqueness of the state context in supplying information. For states that are more insular, like Texas, working through internal (in-state) intermediaries may be an effective strategy. In light of our findings of preferred types of information, those intending to influence policymaking should consider making information—especially research evidence—concise and easily accessible and establish relationships with policymakers and their staff members.

State Higher Education Policy Innovativeness

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-48
Author(s):  
David A. Tandberg ◽  
Jason C. Lee ◽  
T. Austin Lacy ◽  
Shouping Hu ◽  
Toby Park-Gaghan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
State Higher Education

scholarly journals Aligning the times: Exploring the convergence of researchers, policy makers and research evidence in higher education policy making

2020 ◽  
pp. 003452372092067
Author(s):  
Karen Smith ◽  
Scott Fernie ◽  
Nick Pilcher
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Policy Networks ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Times ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Research And Policy

The complexity of contemporary higher education policy making and the multitude of evidences and actors in policy networks mean that relationships between higher education researchers, policy makers and research evidence are not straightforward. In this article, we use a theoretical lens of time, Adams’ Timescapes, to explore this relationship and better understand why the research and policy worlds are frequently described as divided. Drawing on in-depth interviews with higher education researchers, policy makers and research funders, we show how research and policy have different interpretations of time. We discuss the Timeframes, or lengths, of work and career, the Temporality, or complexity, of ‘evidence’, of networks and relationships, and the importance of elements such as Timing, or synchronisation, and Tempo, or pace. We conclude that policy makers and higher education researchers may be better able to make sense of the problematic nature of aligning their concerns, interests and actions through understanding different Timescapes.

scholarly journals “The Bologna Process” A European Response to Global Competition in Higher Education

1969 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-125
Author(s):  
Hans Pechar
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Bologna Process ◽  
The Other ◽  
Global Competition ◽  
European Level ◽  
European Higher Education ◽  
The Bologna Process

The Bologna Process is the most important recent development in higher education policy at the European level. Initially North America observed this reorganisation of Europe’s higher education architecture with some scepticism and even mild irony – if not outright ignoring it. More recently, however, the obvious success of attempts to create a “European Higher Education Area” has increased the interest on the other side of the Atlantic. This paper provides a short overview of the initial goals of the Bologna Process, the present state of implementation, and of the diffi culties this process faces. I begin by asking to what extent a European level of higher education policy making exists at all and what is its signifi cance.

scholarly journals The impact of regional demographics on Higher Education Policy. An example from Silesia, Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-22
Author(s):  
Robert Krzysztofik ◽  
Agata Zagórowska ◽  
Iwona Kantor-Pietraga ◽  
Dominika Malchar-Michalska ◽  
Marzena Lamparska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Education Development ◽  
Demographic Situation ◽  
Student Opinions ◽  
Demographic Challenges ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The determinants of higher education policy have their sources in various spheres, such as economic, social, educational, national policy, administrative, and demographic. Problems for the development of higher education also stem from these spheres. One of them is the challenging demographic situation that is a significant element of developing higher education in southern Poland (particuarly in the Silesia region). Given this context, this article aims to indicate the policies of the universities in the region which respond to the existing demographic threats. This relationship is to confront student opinions regarding their vision for their education and future career within the current demographic situation. Using research-based on an analysis of university and regional local government strategic documents and surveys carried out among students, we conclude that higher education development policy is responding to the demographic transformation. Meanwhile, students’ attitudes to the challenges of the demographic situation is quite “flexible” and relatively ambivalent. This article presents the contrast between the increasingly tricky demographic situation in Silesia, Poland, and the limited response in the two main groups of stakeholders – academic authorities and students – that require shaping higher education ipolicy towards future demographic challenges.

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