Scaling Gender and Sexual Diversity Policies in K-12 Schools

As policy debates concerning LGBTQ+ students and staff continue across the American education system, there is not a clear description of the prevalence of local policy protections, even in states with legislative mandates, nor a strong understanding of how to expand reform initiatives. After conducting a document analysis of policies with a statewide, representative sample of districts, this study uses Illinois as a case study to describe several educational policy levers to scale gender and sexual diversity (GSD) reforms across federal, state, intermediary, and local institutions. The results indicate all districts complied with top-down legislative mandates, but few policies referenced gender or sexual diversity if not state-mandated. A minority of districts enacted policies through administrative guidance (27%), often using language from a state intermediary organization. Results from the regression analysis suggest local factors, such as district size, per pupil spending, and rurality, contribute to adopting guidance, but not policy protections. This study indicates both top-down and bottom-up pathways matter for expanding GSD-related reforms.

Cluster as the mechanism for neo-industrialization of the economy

The subject of this research is various approaches towards the definition of clusters applicable to economic relations, as well as their key characteristics. Special attention is given to the analysis of the existing forms and types of clusters. The authors describe the role and place of clusters in neo-industrialization process, since cluster is not just a form of business organization, but also a form of social interaction and reproduction. Due to the ability of a cluster to accumulate and use knowledge independently, it should be viewed as the mechanism for neo-industrialization of the economy, as well as an integral element for ensuring regional competitiveness. The article notes a substantial difference between the cluster form of organization and the holding form of organization based on the Russian and foreign research, as well as the differences between economic clusters and territorial production complexes, which are characteristic to sectoral approach. The conclusion is made that the prerequisite for the emergence of cluster is not the solution of the administrative guidance system, but a natural need of the business, favorable conditions for integration, and availability of the necessary infrastructure. The novelty consists in viewing cluster as the mechanism for neo-industrialization of the economy. It is underlined that clusters create a synergistic effect for the global region they are located in, as well as for the economies of the countries, separate regions or territories of these countries. The authors indicate the need for elaboration of the new approach towards the development of cluster policy. The new cluster policy is intended to regulate the industrial innovation process in the Russian Federation.