Chapter 10- Policy Implementation

Dr. Dan BertrandLEEA 554

Defining Policy Implementation

When an adopted policy is put into practice.

Formal implementers- government officials who have legal authority to put ne policies into effect- Superintendent

Intermediary implementers- those to whom authority is delivered.› Success depends on will› Success depends on capacity

Activity

p. 272-278 You will be asked to add to the next

three slides.

Research on Implementation

1st generation focused on why implementation was difficult.› Implementers:

Don’t understand expectations Lack the knowledge and skills necessary Given insufficient resources Frustration sets in and motivation subsides

2nd Generation Research

Success Failure Analysis› Supported the 1st generation research on

the difficulty of implementation.› Supports the idea that successful

implementation can occur.› Identified the commonalities between

strong and week implementation.› Results explained in the next section.

3rd Generation Research

Major change in practice› Strong social support› Opportunities to collaborate with other

professionals› Opportunities to observe successful

implementation› Assistance from facilitators and mentors› Access to support network

Implementing a New Policy

Mobilization› Adopting a new policy› Determine if:

There are good reasons for adoption The new policy is good for the school or district There is sufficient support from key stakeholders

› Plan for implementation Determine who should participate Determine all the major prerequisites (forward

mapping)› Gather resources for implementation

Money, time, personnel, space

Implementation

Stages of Implementation› Early-Don’t midgetize/pressure to continue› Late- Refine and debug

Themes of Success› Continuous monitoring and feedback› Ongoing assistance› Cope with problems

Institutionalization

Policy is in the Board Policy manual Changes negotiated into teacher contract Teacher/Administration evaluation

procedures are consistent with policy Student evaluation procedures are

consistent with policy Training is included in orientation and

induction program Costs are included in the budget.

Implementation of Unpopular Policies

Why are they unpopular?› Counter to implementers self-interest› Conflict with basic professional values

Professional Resistance› Express disapproval in writing and verbally› Exit the profession, district or school› Disloyalty in token or delayed compliance

Continued- ImplementingUnpopular Policies

Coping with Resistance› Persuasion› Policy modifications› Personnel adjustments

Choosing to Resist a Policy- questions to consider› Is the objectionable policy just symbolic?› What is the motivation to resist?› Is the policy likely to change through

resistance?› What will be the professional cost of resistance?

Activity

Read the attached timeline for a major policy change.

Identify the stages of policy setting.› Setting the stage› Agenda setting› Policy formation› Policy implementation› Policy evaluation

Discuss what you might do differently.

Activity

Case study- page 306

News Story for Analysis- page 307