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629 - Policy Issues in International Education Course Web Site http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~educ629s/
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OBJECTIVES
Current international educational policy in Africa, Asia and Latin America is centered on strategies necessary to achieve the global agenda of Education for All. Central to those policies is the establishment of measurable objectives, country strategies, plans of action and the means to monitor progress. The course will begin with an overview of the nature of policy formation and implementation at national and international levels, drawing on the theory and practice of policy analysis. A supporting focus of the course will analyze the concepts, experience and the current practice in creating monitoring and evaluation frameworks to guide education sector policy work. The course will also review guidelines for the preparation of national policies and their associated M&E frameworks, including various methods for creating and using indicators to measure progress toward goals.
During the course participants will:
Study models of the policy process and understand policy formulation in the context of developing and transitional countries;
Study and apply specific tools of policy analysis: stakeholder analysis. policy characteristics, political and institutional mapping; managing the policy process;
Study the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP) to understand its goals, methods, and limitations. Study one or more PRSP case studies in terms of their human resource development strategy.
Study EFA process, indicators and progress through case analysis.
Carry out a analysis of a policy case in a specific setting.
The course will be divided into three parts. The first will focus on theoretical approaches to the policy process that will form a conceptual basis for studying examples of education policies later in the course. This part will include practice with a set of specific tools that are part of the policy analysis process. The second part of the course will focus on the international Poverty Reduction Strategy Process, focusing first on its goals, methods and indicators and secondly on selected case studies. The third part of the course will look at cases from Education for All movement. Finally students will choose a particular education policy case to analyze using the tools from earlier in the course and to present in class.
Readings as assigned weekly & short written exercises.
An analysis of a particular policy in a particular country (assigned topic) (5-10 pp.)
A class presentation of a case study or a critical issue
Final Paper analyzing in depth a country policy case study. (15-20 pp.)
GRADING
This course is being offered on a Pass/Fail basis with a letter grade option. Any student wishing a letter grade must submit a written request for that option by the fourth class meeting.
The required text can be purchased at Food for Thought, a book cooperative located in downtown Amherst on the right before the CVS Pharmacy. A bound set of Collected Readings, which is required, will be available at the third class meeting. Some readings at the beginning of the semester will be handed out in class. Reserve readings will be located in the CIE Resource Center 287 Hills South - open weekdays during work hours.
Brinkerhoff, D. & Crosby, B. (2002). Managing policy reform: Concepts and tools for decision-makers in developing and transitioning countries. Bloomfield, CT.: Kumarian Press, Inc.
Collected Readings for 629. (January 2003). Xeroxed & bound set of readings. Approximately $35 available at third class meeting
Materials for the course and linkages to other sites containing useful resources will be found at the above URL. Students will need to have regular access to the web site in order to successfully carry out the work required by the course.
Draft Course Outline -- (revised version later) [14 week version
NOTE: The reading assignments are due ON THE DATE listed. Priority of Reading: MUST READ = ***; Strongly Recommended = **; Optional = *
1. Jan 29 - Introduction. Policy Cycles and Issues. Discussion of Education Sector Reviews.
ASSIGNMENT: Buy Text Book; Visit Course Web Site.
2. Feb 5 - Policy Characteristics How the characteristics of a policy are linked to policy formation, adoption and implementation.
ASSIGNMENT: Text (Brinkerhoff & Crosby) *Preface, Chapters **1, **2 & ***7; [Handout] ***Habte & Fuller; Carnoy on Web site; Haddad ?
► PAPER ASSIGNED: Profile of Characteristics of an education policy in your country/region.
3. Feb 12 - Stakeholder analysis; Political and Institutional Mapping.
ASSIGNMENT: Text - Chapters ***6 & ***8; Haddad?
► PAPER ASSIGNED: Stakeholder Analysis of a policy issue in your country/region.
╠ PAPER DUE: Policy Profile
4. Feb 19 - Mapping the Policy Process, analysis of actors, institutions and process.
ASSIGNMENT: Text Chapter ***9 & ***10; CR#@@ DfID; CR#@@ Crouch;
► PAPER ASSIGNED: Analysis of Policy X in Country Y
╠ PAPER DUE: Stakeholder Analysis
5. Feb 26 - Discussion of factors influencing policy impact; Backward mapping exercise.
ASSIGNMENT: CR #@@Wolf All; CR #@@ Elmore;
╠ PAPER DUE: Policy Analysis
6. Mar 5 - International Structures and their role in national educational policy process. Discussion of effects of Globalization on national policies.
ASSIGNMENT: CR#@@ Ilon; CR#@@ Craig & Porter; CR#@@ Carnoy; CR#@@ PRSP Overview and Education Section.
7. Mar 12 - Education Sector Policy Issues and strategy options. Unique characteristics of education sector and challenges raised for policy makers.
ASSIGNMENT: CR#@@ PRSP Education Technical Notes
8. Mar 19 - Spring Break No Class
9. Mar 26 - Analysis of Example Country PRSP Strategy. Introduction to Education Sector Analysis {Mid-Term Evaluation}
ASSIGNMENT: CR@@ PRSP Case Study and JSA;
► PAPER ASSIGNED: Respond to JSA comments on Country Plan for Education Sector
10. April 2 - Discussion of EFA Review of EFA Goals, Indicators and Progress over past 12 years since Jomtien
ASSIGNMENT: CR#@@ Colclough; CR#@@ EFA Progress Toward Goals;
╠ PAPER DUE: Response to JSA for Country Plan for Education Sector
11. April 9 - Monitoring and Evaluation of Policies. Use of EMIS data and various educational data bases to monitor progress.
ASSIGNMENT: Text Chapter ***12; CR#@@ ***PRSP M&E;
12. April 16 - Analysis of specific education sector policy issues: girls education; science education. Examination of process and components of analysis.
ASSIGNMENT: CR#@@ Girls Education; Web Site - Secondary School Science; CR#@@ Haddad cases?
13. April 23 - Monday Schedule No Class
14. April 30 - Policy Case Analysis group presentation and discussion
ASSIGNMENT:
► WRITTEN OUTLINE DUE: Outline of Policy Case Study Analysis
15. May 7 - Policy Case Analysis group presentation and discussion
ASSIGNMENT: CR#@@ Haddad - Chpt ***3
16. May 14 - Evaluation of Lessons Learned; Applications to personal career; course evaluation.
╠ FINAL PAPER DUE: Analysis of a Policy Case Study
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