Educational Policy Studies: A Practical Approach

Luke Lawson is a teacher and administrator in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

This slender book provides an overview of the current literature on
educational policy. No fewer than 14 chapters outline the steps of
implementing educational policy, from consideration of a school’s
values and principles to policy development, implementation, evaluation,
dissemination, rules and regulations, issues and concerns, and reform.

While some useful points are raised in most of the chapters, there is a
frustrating lack of substance. For example, in the chapter on policy and
regulations—a mere three and a half pages—the all-important policy
manual is mentioned only in passing. In the chapter titled “Issues and
Concerns,” the role of teachers in the policy process—a topic to
which a whole chapter could easily have been devoted—is covered in two
paragraphs.

A student of education may find this book interesting, and researchers
will find the extensive list of references helpful. However, most
educators will be dismayed by the lack of both analysis and real-life
examples.