Policy and governance in education: Shaping effective leadership

In the continuously evolving world of education, policy, and governance are integral components of effective leadership.

Developing a deep understanding of policy and governance structures—including how they are created and implemented as well as how they impact learning environments and stakeholders—is essential for aspiring educational leaders. Further, as highlighted in our blog on building a strong educational leadership team, engaging in policy development and reform is an effective means of bolstering the impact educational leaders have on those they serve.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the significance of policy and governance for educational leadership teams.

Education policy refers to “laws as well as processes and policies that educational organizations, local districts, states, and nations put in place and follow to achieve academic goals.”¹ Accordingly, educational policy sets the course for educational standards, teacher expectations, student rights, and the allocation of resources, among other critical elements of the education system.

Several landmark policies have significantly shaped the educational landscape in the United States. Such policies include the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

ESSA was enacted in 2015 and replaced the No Child Left Behind Act.²

ESSA aimed to provide more flexibility for states while preserving accountability for student performance. Specifically, ESSA allows states to develop their own criteria for evaluating school performance. These criteria can include non-academic indicators, such as school climate and student engagement. At the same time, ESSA maintains standardized testing requirements, serving to promote high academic standards and identify achievement gaps.³

IDEA is a federal law that ensures students with disabilities receive free and appropriate public education tailored to their individual needs. Originally enacted as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975, the name of the law was changed as part of its reauthorization in 1990.⁴

IDEA has played an instrumental role in expanding and improving services, such as special education and early intervention, for eligible students. As of the 2022–23 school year, such services have been provided to more than 8 million students.⁵

These policies are key components of the extensive policy framework underpinning the education system in the U.S. Understanding these and other significant policies is crucial for educational leaders at every level.

Creating effective educational policies is a meticulous process that requires carefully collecting and analyzing applicable data to inform decision-making. Policies grounded in solid research are more likely to be effective and garner support from the educational community.⁶ Additionally, collaboration is essential, as incorporating the perspectives and expertise of all stakeholders results in more comprehensive and impactful policies.

Translating policy into practice often involves facing hurdles such as resource constraints, resistance to change, and misalignment with local needs. For instance, introducing new standardized testing can meet opposition from educators and parents due to concerns about student stress and its impact on teaching practices.

Effective implementation requires thoughtful strategies, including ongoing professional development for educators, clear and consistent communication of policy goals and procedures, and continuous monitoring and assessment to ensure alignment with educational objectives.

School leaders play a particularly important role in facilitating the smooth and successful implementation of policies.⁷ They must ensure that policies are adopted on paper and effectively incorporated into the school’s practices. Leaders must also foster a positive culture that embraces change and innovation, which is fundamental for successfully implementing new and innovative policies.

Determining the success of educational policies involves assessing a range of applicable metrics such as student performance, graduation rates, or teacher retention. Evaluation frameworks incorporating quantitative and qualitative data offer insights into the effectiveness of policies and areas where adjustments may be needed.

It is also essential to recognize that every school and community has unique attributes. Educational leaders must seek out means of adapting policies to meet local needs while maintaining the core objectives of the original guidelines. This might involve contextualizing curriculum changes to resonate with local culture or modifying resource allocation to address targeted community needs.

Recent case studies highlight the impact of educational policies. These cases, among many others, demonstrate how robust educational policy can be in improving educational experiences and outcomes by addressing key aspects of the education system. Effective policies ensure quality education by setting high standards, promoting equity, and aligning the policy agenda with the needs of public schools and communities.

A critical part of the implementation process involves balancing resource allocation across districts, ensuring that both high-achieving and low-performing schools receive the support they need. Collaboration between local governments, school leaders, and community members is essential to maintain public education systems that reflect the diverse needs of their stakeholders. Additionally, parental involvement strengthens these efforts, as engaged families contribute to shaping policies that reflect local priorities.

Successful policy making requires a comprehensive understanding of challenges within the educational system, including disparities in access, funding gaps, and emerging safety concerns. Political leadership plays a pivotal role in driving reforms and aligning educational goals with broader societal needs. Through the democratic process, policies that promote school safety and equity can be implemented effectively, ensuring sustainable improvements across the board.

Here are a few examples of education policies implemented to bolster early childhood education efforts, as well as secondary school and high school student learning outcomes:

Rolled out in 2014, this initiative aimed to provide free, full-day pre-kindergarten to all 4-year-olds in the city. Further, the initiative set quality standards for providers, ensuring consistent, high-quality early learning experiences.

The program has rapidly expanded since its launch, significantly increasing access to early childhood education for thousands of students. In turn, this can enhance readiness for kindergarten and beyond by fostering the development of critical literacy and reasoning skills.⁸ At the same time, ensuring equitable access throughout the city remains a challenge, necessitating targeted outreach and support for underrepresented communities.⁹

Launched in 2016, the Read to be Ready campaign aimed to improve literacy rates among Tennessee's elementary school students by equipping teachers with enhanced strategies for teaching literacy skills.¹⁰ Since the initiative’s launch, Tennessee students have achieved notable gains in reading scores.¹¹

GoCPS is a centralized online application system for Chicago Public Schools that allows students to “apply to nearly every CPS school and program through one online platform.”¹²

By providing a single platform for school applications, this initiative simplified the application process for families, making it easier and less stressful to navigate school choices. The system has also facilitated better data collection and analysis, allowing for more informed decision-making at the district level.¹³

Governance in education pertains to the system of rules, practices, and processes by which schools are directed and managed. Various structures exist, including traditional public school systems, school boards, district leadership, and charter school governance. Each structure has unique characteristics but shares the common goal of ensuring schools run efficiently and effectively.

Different governance bodies play critical roles in overseeing school operations, supporting leadership, and ensuring accountability. For instance, school boards are usually responsible for setting strategic direction, approving budgets, and establishing policies. Meanwhile, district leadership might focus on curriculum standards and professional development, and charter school boards often have more autonomy in setting school policies.

Understanding these roles helps delineate clear boundaries and responsibilities for educational leaders.

Just as effective policy development requires engaging key stakeholders, so too does school governance. Open communication channels, regular stakeholder meetings, and data-driven decision-making processes are vital strategies for fostering a supportive and involved community around educational institutions.¹⁴

Understanding policy and governance is essential for those aspiring to lead within educational institutions and help properly prepare students for their futures.

If you’re interested in deepening your policy and governance knowledge and honing your leadership capabilities to help boost education outcomes, consider pursuing the online master’s in educational administration degree at KU. Our educational leadership program, led by expert faculty who are passionate about developing the next generation of school leaders, will help you grow your skill set and increase your impact.

Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Schedule a call with one of our admissions outreach advisors today.