Educational Policy

The University of Wisconsin-Madison provides a rich academic environment for graduate study in Educational Policy and Policy Analysis, with offerings for a graduate major related to education and policy analysis in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, The Department of Educational Policy Studies and The LaFollette School of Public Affairs.

The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis offers degrees in Educational Policy at the Master's and Doctoral levels with an emphasis on conducting educational policy research and analysis with a goal of advancing the achievement of all students through effective policy design, development, implementation and evaluation of educational policies and programs. Students develop a knowledge base that includes a strong foundation in research methods (both quantitative and qualitative), and an ability to conduct sophisticated educational policy research and analysis grounded in understandings of the educational policy and governance system in the U.S. and the issues and challenges facing educational leaders embedded in school, university, community/technical college, or adult learning contexts.

Recent graduates of the program are faculty members at research universities, researchers in research centers and consulting firms, policy analysts for non-profit organizations, University administrators, a University President, and policy analysts at the federal and state levels.
The Department of Educational Policy Studies offers degrees in Educational Policy with an emphasis on applying multidisciplinary perspectives, theories, and methodologies to further understanding of the origin, design, implementation, and effects of policies that address important educational problems. Students interested in the study of policy analysis in general, or of the analysis of non-educational issues, should consider the offerings of the La Follette School of Public Affairs.

Educational Policy Faculty

Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis faculty members with a policy emphasis include:

Geoffrey Borman, whose research applies state-of-the-art quantitative methods to evaluating educational interventions designed to improve the achievement of disadvantaged student populations. His current research includes studies of comprehensive school reform and school context and their impacts on student achievement.

Carolyn Kelley, whose scholarship focuses on the nexus between educational policy and organizational theory. Her current research focuses on the efficacy and impact of National Board Certification and knowledge and skills-based teacher evaluation and pay systems on teacher professional growth, the school organization, and student learning.

Julie Mead, whose legal scholarship focuses on choice and charter schools and students with disabilities. Specifically, she has examined the impact of choice and charter school laws on students with disabilities and students of color.

Allan Odden, whose scholarship in educational finance and teacher compensation is recognized internationally. Professor Odden is the Director of the Consortium for Policy Research in Education Finance Center, which is housed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Allen Phelps, who serves as the Director of the Center for Education and Work. Dr. Phelps' work examines the effect of interventions designed to strengthen the relationship between school and work, with a particular focus on their impact on student achievement, persistence, and outcomes.

Affiliated Faculty

In addition, the University of Wisconsin-Madison provides significant additional depth and focus on educational policy. Faculty in other departments affiliated with the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis include:

Adam Gamoran, Professor in the Department of Sociology and Educational Policy Studies, whose work focuses on the social organization of schools, and equity of student access to high quality curriculum and instruction.

Andrew Reschovsky, Professor in the LaFollette Institute for Public Affairs, whose research focuses on state and local fiscal issues, with a specific emphasis on public school finance, not only in the United States but also internationally.

John Witte, Faculty member in the LaFollette Institute for Public Affairs. Dr. Witte conducts research on choice and charter schools, and related educational policy issues.

Research Centers

Department faculty and faculty affiliates include directors and senior scholars of several policy research centers on campus. Many doctoral students in policy are employed at one or more of these centers during their stay at the University:

The Consortium for Policy Research in Education: The Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) is the federally funded research center focusing on educational policy issues. CPRE includes researchers from five of the nation's leading research institutions: the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is home to CPRE's Finance Center, which conducts research on K-12 school finance policy, resource reallocation, and teacher compensation, and their relationship to student learning outcomes. Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis faculty associated with the Finance Center include Allan Odden, Director; Geoffrey Borman, Rich Halverson, and Carolyn Kelley.

The Center for Education and Work: The Center for Education and Work is a federally funded research center that focuses on research, development, and capacity-building technical assistance activities designed to better enable educators to engage youth and adults in learning and career development experiences that lead to meaningful and productive careers. The Center's efforts are designed to enhance the quality of career-related learning in schools, colleges, and the workplace for all individuals. CEW is directed by Allen Phelps.

The Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education: The W: The Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education (WISCAPE) is a relatively new center on campus designed to engage key stakeholders – researchers, faculty members, university staff, senior administrators, and community and government leaders – in an ongoing dialogue about postsecondary education. This exchange enhances the understanding of postsecondary education and its role in improving our society and our lives. WISCAPE engages key audiences through three broadly defined themes: financing postsecondary education, managing and leading the entrepreneurial university, and expanding the boundaries of postsecondary education. WISCAPE researchers from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis include Jerlando Jackson.

For more information on how to apply, contact Graduate Student Coordinator >Shari Smith directly at ssmith@education.wisc.edu and see the Admissions section.

File last updated: November 5, 2008 10:39 AM
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