(Append this part of the paper to combined part 1&2 document and submit altogether.) This is the third part of the Policy Analysis Paper. There are two steps involved: Step 1: Choose the evaluative cr
Running Head: POLICY ANAYSIS 0
Policy Analysis
Lam Ho Yung
Oregon State University
Introduction
Public policy refers to actions by the state and locals aimed at maintaining order or meeting the needs of the citizens. These policies are regulatory, restrictive and facilitating types. A Policy problem is an issue in an act or policy that needs to be addressed or improved. Public Policy is usually controlled by the state and affects the daily lives of citizens that the state is trying to provide for and protect. This paper will focus on the issues that surround education policy in Alabama State.
Problem
The education policy in Alabama problem is the K-12 public education which most voters seemed so concerned about. The issues surrounding the program are class size, preparation by teachers, and funding. Funding for spending per child in Alabama State is poor in districts that are not wealthy while the wealthy districts create inequality. Teacher training is low with debate settling on training for teachers on all grades (Parcaadmin, 2018). Class size, on the other hand, is a rising issue considering the State has to cut their budget thus implying that class seizes must rise because the ration is a teacher to class size.
Where and Who are being Affected
The policy problem is experienced in Alabama State in the United States of America. This K-12 policy issue is a policy for education in Alabama which aims at improving education in the state. Those affected by the problems affecting the policy such as class size, non-prepared teachers and low funding are students because it leads to low achievement rates among the students. These factors that the policy must address are affecting how students are performing especially with the fact that it is clear that the budget of the State is being cut to priority issues such as Medicaid and health care for the people of Alabama.
Causes of the Problem
The problem started when the policy allowed parents to have an option to take children to either private or public schools thus those with money take their kids to good private schools. Education problems in Alabama circulate in one major cause which is money, implying that it is the thing that affects the State (Ed Week, 2018). The State faces corruption that has led to budget slicing of other projects and public needs that affect the people of the State.
Policy Actors and Changes brought by Policy Action
Policy action can change the causes of education underperformance in local schools through strengthening the capacity of public schools to allow for college preparedness. There is also professional decision and development actions taken to make sure class sizes have been reduced to accumulate students that a single teacher can teach with no problems. Policies on corruption should be implemented to reduce corruption in the State which will cause efficient funding and reduce turn over for teachers. Funding for public schools should be included in the budget policy for Alabama State. The Alabama actors in policy formulation for education include; the State legislature, private school leaders and the Alabama State Board of education.
Conclusion
To conclude, the education policy of Alabama State should be redesigned to focus on the achievements of students in public schools because their parents are not wealthy to give them good education in private schools thus depend on the government for help. The budget of the state contributes to the achievement of these kids in local schools from kindergarten to college.
References
Ed Week (2018). State Grades on K-12 Education: Map and rankings. Quality Counts 2018. https://www.edweek.org/ew/collections/quality-counts-2018-state-grades/report-card-map-rankings.html
Parcaadmin. (2018). K-12 Education Ranks as the #1 Priority among Alabama Voters. Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.
