In recognition of the combined importance of law and policy in the design of the American system of K-12 education and human development, this course explores the legal, fiscal, and political essentials of education policy design, including the roles of state constitutions, the federal government, governors, legislatures, courts, advocacy organizations, parents, teachers and students. To help identify the notable elements of the design of the American system, the course will draw on materials providing international comparisons. Society’s expectations for education and human development have been and are constantly changing. Consequently, the course deals with the process of education law and policy change, including school integration, the inclusion of students with disabilities, educational standards, testing, and current calls for education reform. We will also consider the role of policy analysis and new discoveries in neuroscience and psychology in guiding improvements in human development policy design.
Course readings will include judicial decisions, statutes, policy analyses, and journalistic accounts of education and human development law and policy. Classes will consist of active student discussion of legal and policy design issues, presentations by guest speakers who are active practitioners in education law and policy and presentation of group research projects.