AIPI Blog

FAQ Guide: How to Read and Evaluate Education Policy

Brooke Curleyhair

Education Policy Analyst

Understanding and navigating education policy is essential for all who engage in the educational sector, as these policies shape the experiences of students, educators, and communities by defining the standards and expectations of educational systems. This FAQ guide provides a pathway to critically reading and evaluating education policy, highlighting the importance of centering Indigenous knowledge and voices in policy discussions. It also addresses common challenges and identifies the diverse stakeholders who benefit from this work. We invite you to explore the guide’s tools and resources to begin your journey toward fostering more inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive education policies.

What is policy?

In the field of education, policy defines the standards and procedures that guide how systems operate, ensuring quality, equity, and accountability. These policies affect curriculum design, resource allocation, assessments, and educator roles. Importantly, they shape the experiences of students, educators, and communities by influencing how education is delivered, evaluated, and adapted to evolving societal and cultural needs. Developed by stakeholders such as governments and educators, policies play a critical role in promoting inclusivity and meeting the diverse needs of all learners.

Where can policy be found?

Education policy can be found in a variety of places, and it's important to recognize that policy decisions are shaped at multiple levels, from local communities to elected officials. Policy discourse at different levels—whether in a community forum, tribal council, or legislative hearing—can directly or indirectly be influenced to shape the education landscape. Here are some key places:

Federal, State, and Tribal Government	Policies impacting education are often published on official government websites.
	Example: Federal education policies can be found in the U.S. Department of Education’s website, state-level policies on state’s Department of Education site, and tribal policies through Tribal Education Departments or Councils.
School District and School Board Meetings	Local education policies are frequently discussed and approved during school board meetings, which are often open to the public.
	Example: School district websites may also publish policies for public access along with meeting notes and a recording of the gathering.
Community and Tribal Council Gatherings	Policy decisions can happen at community levels as well, this can include local tribal gatherings. Often this type of engagement helps shape how policies are understood and implemented on the ground.
	Example: A Chapter House meeting might invite the principal of a Head Start program to present and answer questions, allowing the community to influence school decisions outside the school environment itself.
Professional and Advocacy Organizations	Professional organizations often publish briefs, reports, and recommendations on education policies throughout the year; this can include specific policies related to Indigenous students, educators and communities.
	Example: The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) or the American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI) provide resources and updates on policy changes that affect Indigenous stakeholders.
Legislative Databases and Research Centers	These sources provide updated information about what policies are being proposed, debated, or enacted – often this information is found online.
	Example: Policy documents can also be accessed through legislative databases (e.g., Congress.gov, state legislative websites) or education research centers that track policy developments.

What does it mean to “read” education policy?

Reading policy about education involves examining the rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern educational systems. It requires an understanding of the policy’s intent, scope, language, and implications to see how it affects different stakeholders within the system.

What does it mean to “evaluate” education policy?

To evaluate education policy means to critically assess whether the policy achieves its intended goals, promotes fairness, and considers both short- and long-term impacts on students, teachers, and communities. This process involves examining the policy’s effectiveness, equity, implementation, and potential unintended consequences. Additionally, an essential aspect of policy evaluation is weighing the policy's success against its cost, ensuring that the benefits justify the financial and resource investments.

Why is it important to read and evaluate education policy?

Reading and evaluating education policy are essential tasks for ensuring equitable and effective educational systems. Reading policy allows stakeholders to understand who benefits and anticipate potential challenges or unintended consequences in implementation. Accurate interpretation of policies is key to advocating for inclusivity. Additionally, evaluating education policy ensures that policies are data-driven, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of learners. Through comprehensive evaluation, stakeholders can confirm that educational practices are equitable, sustainable, and adaptable to changing societal and Indigenous cultural contexts.

How can reading and evaluating education policy be most beneficial?

Reading and evaluating education policy is most beneficial when done collaboratively, incorporating input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, communities, and students. This inclusive approach ensures that policy decisions are comprehensive and balanced.

The following graphic provides a visual representation of the outcomes derived from a collaborative process. At its center, it emphasizes the crucial role of stakeholder collaboration, with lines extending to five interconnected outcomes—Informed Decisions, Equity, Cultural Relevance, Adapt Policies, and Long-term Impact. Each outcome is equally important in shaping effective education policy, highlighting the collective impact of collaboration.

Where Can Reading and Evaluating Education Policy Be Most Beneficial?

Reading and evaluating education policy can be highly beneficial across various settings, including:

What Are Common Challenges When Reading and Evaluating Education Policy, and How Can They Be Addressed?

Policy reading and evaluation often presents challenges. The table below outlines four key categories of obstacles and provides solutions to facilitate the overall process:

Language	Education policies often use technical or legal language that can be difficult to interpret.
	Solution: Simplifying the Language Use guides, glossaries, or seek expert help to understand technical terms. Break down the policy into its key components (intent, scope, implications, language) to grasp its core purpose and impact.
Data	It can be challenging to find or access relevant data to evaluate the effectiveness or fairness of a policy.
	Solution: Improving Access to Data Collaborate with local educational agencies, research institutions, or government departments to gather relevant data. Use official public data sources or reports to identify trends and outcomes related to the policy’s implementation.
Stakeholder Engagement	Policies may not always reflect the perspectives of all affected groups, especially marginalized communities.
	Solution: Engaging Stakeholders Involve diverse community voices, especially from underrepresented or marginalized groups, in policy discussions and evaluations. Create forums, surveys, or focus groups to gather feedback from tribal education departments, students, teachers, parents, and community members.
Policy Design	Policies may unintentionally favor certain groups while placing others at a disadvantage, leading to inequitable outcomes.
	Solution: Addressing Bias in Policy Design Apply an equity lens to the policy by asking critical questions about who benefits and who might be left out. Consult with diverse experts and stakeholders to ensure that multiple perspectives are considered in the policy’s creation and evaluation.

What Tools and Resources Can be Used for Evaluating Education Policy?

Tools like logic models or SWOT analysis can be used to break down policy components, explore the list of tools/frameworks below:

Logic Models: Logic models help map out the intended inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes of a policy. They allow evaluators to clearly see how a policy is supposed to work and where potential gaps may exist. CLICK HERE to learn how REL West collaborated with the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) to support their development of a logic model and associated measures.
SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats): A SWOT analysis can help identify internal and external factors that may affect the policy’s success, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement. The SWOT analysis can be adapted to meet the unique needs of Indigenous communities, CLICK HERE to learn about the PUEBLO Analysis that combines Westernized-Eurocentric education and research methodologies to practices informed by traditional knowledge.
Equity Frameworks: These frameworks, such as the Equity Impact Review Tool, guide users in examining how policies impact marginalized groups and address systemic inequities. These frameworks consider the cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic impacts of policies on historically underserved populations. CLICK HERE to learn about the Equity Impact Assessment Tool created by Washington State University.

Additional resources can be found through the following online databases:

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): The NCES provides access to a wide range of educational data, including student performance, demographics, and school resources, which can be used to evaluate policy effectiveness across different communities.
State and Local Education Data Systems: Many states maintain education data systems that track student outcomes, teacher performance, and school resources. These systems can provide localized data to inform evaluations.
Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA): TEDNA offers resources for evaluating education policies affecting Native students and provides tools for understanding how tribal sovereignty interacts with federal and state education policies.

Education Policy

Posted on

October 23, 2024

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