CD7603 Policy Power and Politics in Educational Leadership Assessment Answer

Introduction

Education is one of the crucial leads for the development of nations in many countries of the world. For the overall development of society, education is conventional to produce the human capital that is expected. Education plays an important role in the development of individuals and society. Leadership is considered to be a critical resource at any level of education to achieve school success. Educational leadership is also known as school leadership and is considered to be a process of improving schools for better achievement and results. Educational leadership has the capability of creating circumstances where the goals are achieved with honesty and cooperation. This minimizes the need for dissipation and conflicts between groups (Agi et al., 2016). There is an influential role of educational leaders in promoting positive outcomes for families and children. The role of an educational leader is to provide support to educators effectively. Educational leaders also ensure that the children's learning and development are guided in such a way that the learning outcomes are according to the frameworks (ACECQA, 2018). There are several factors like politics, policy, and power that affect educational leaders in their work. Politics is defined as the series of processes by which some people try to influence informally or formally the action of others. Based on the general definition of politics, it is considered that politics is the involvement of the power of people to make sure there is more domination in the decision-making as compared to others. Politics regulate the education type that citizens need and in turn the type of education reflects the type of politics (Ambo et al., 2021). Educational policy is defined as the implementation of different strategic planning that is determined as the ability for the development of the students and also the society. Policy in the field of education provides the consistency and coordination that is required for administrative actions. The main development of the education system needs strategic planning (Jafarov & Aliyev, 2021). The policy is defined as procedures and rules that direct decision-making and behavior in educational organizations (Heywood, 2013). The policies that are implemented in educational organizations act as a significant factor that affects the quality of education and also the experience of administrators, students, and instructors (Ball et al., 2011). This essay will discuss the education leader's effectiveness which is affected by policy, politics, and power. This essay will also discuss how politics, policy, and power influence the educational setting and the practice of educational leaders. 

Review of Literature

Stream 1: The Influence of Politics

Definition of politics and why it is important to understand the influence of politics in educational settings.

Politics can be defined as the process of claims that are made by rival parties that are competitive and aim to assemble the support to imply the programs into action (The British Academy, 2020). In education, everything whether it is related to textbooks or the curriculum is governed by the politics and policies that are shaped on the basis of culture, society, and politics (National Education Association, 2018). Education that is formal has a connection with political participation. In political science, there is a link between education and politics that is most replicated. Education is considered to be a direct, concrete, and immediate cause of political participation (Annual Reviews, 2022). Politics is involved at every level of education. It is important to recognize the influence on educational settings by politics. Political forces somewhere or the other influence decision-making, financing, and policy, which directly or indirectly affects the educational setting. Therefore it becomes important to apprehend the impact of politics in educational settings. Educational leaders play an important role in the collaboration of educators and also provide direction and guidance to educators. It is important for educational leaders to know how politics affects the educational setting and society (ACECQA, 2018). Politics is present at every level of the education system. The educational leaders at the school level are also involved in the educational process that is affected by political decisions. Politics is another key tool that is used by leaders including educational leaders to achieve goals with the help of other people. Political involvement is most likely highest at the administration level. The influence of politics on educational settings should be reviewed and analyzed from time to time for the development of the education system. The decisions that are made by educational leaders are influenced by politics but leaders also ensure that the development and learning of students are not affected (Bigham & Ray, 2012). The study done by Baba et al. (2020) focuses on the influence of politics on student's academic performance which directly affects the educational settings. The influence of politics in educational settings includes the setting of educational institutions as well as appointing teachers and administration. The influence of politics is on educational goals, inequalities in the education system, poor funding of senior secondary schools, and provision of poor infrastructure. Therefore it is important to figure out the influence of politics on educational settings.

How do politics (and politicking) influence the practice of educational leaders?

The goals of the education system are derived from the ruling party. The policy planning by educational leaders and its implementation are influenced by politics. The multifaceted interactions are surrounded by different policymakers, educationists, researchers, and officials. With the system of politics, there is the enhancement of individuals' potential to create political power for education leaders (Ambo et al., 2021). Educational leaders are actors that shape the policy and politics of the education system. The study done by Bush (2011) uses the term politics and mini politics to describe the behaviors and activities of educational leaders. The language that is used in politics includes bargaining, conflicts, power, and interests that provide ways of understanding decision-making in educational settings. Politics and education go hand in hand and show a relationship that supports the learning culture of the educational setting. The study examines the micropolitics of resistance and compliance among educational leaders. A policy that is related to politics is defined as a set of strategies that intend the activity in a specific way that recognizes the policy of educational leaders also. The educational leaders in this study were staff members who were having specific responsibilities of leadership. The policy purposes of the policy are intact in such a way that it becomes translated and reconstructed again for the betterment of educational settings.

Stream 2: The Influence of Policy on educational leader effectiveness

The definition of policy and why is it important to understand the influence of policy in educational settings.

The policy is defined as the course of actions and principles that are proposed by an organization. Policy in terms of education is defined as the strategic planning for the development of the students. The educational settings implement different policies for the achievement of goals that are set up for the development of the education system. This enhancement in education will also develop society (Jafarov & Aliyev, 2021). The policy that is taken in the education system influences the whole system and hence it becomes important to recognize the influential need in the educational setting. The policies are the actions that are taken by the government keeping in mind the development of the education system. The policies that are made by the government address the production and delivery of education in the system. There is a significant impact of the policy on the educational setting if it also acknowledges the delivery of education in public. The concept of implementation of the policies in educational settings helps to improve the differences that are related to education (Viennet & Pont, 2017). The policies that are formed by the government directly impacts the whole education setting. The policies that have been formed to ensure that the education system works properly also keeps a check on student’s curriculum and their overall development. The educational leaders use the policies that are implemented to holistic development and growth of the organisation. The policies that directly influence the education of the students. The policies directly affect the quality of education among students (Department for International Development, 2018).

How does policy affect the practice of educational leaders?

The goals and duties of educational leaders are influenced by the policies that are implemented. The policies that are at the state and federal levels affect the quality of education. The study done by Pont (2014) observed that educational leadership was not considered an important policy across many countries. The policymakers respond slowly to educational leadership challenges. The author focuses on bridging the gap between the policy and educational leaders by giving appropriate training, support, and development. This helps in the overall development of educational settings. There is evidence that shows that policies that are applied for educational leaders improve overall learning outcomes. Educational leaders have a direct or indirect impact on the educational environment ensuring effective learning and teaching for the system. The policies that are implemented have a direct impact on educational leaders as they focus on the evaluation and development of the education system. Educational leaders also focus on the learning objectives and their implementation with the help of the policies that are implemented (Pont, 2014). Educational leaders have become an important part of the policies that are implemented in the system. The policies directly affect the practice of educational leaders as their primary role is to improve the outcomes and efficiency of education. The policies that are made with respect to the educational settings give influence the roles and responsibilities of educational leaders. In the study by Beatriz (2008), there are basically four roles of educational leaders affected by the policy. First is the support and evaluation of the quality of teachers. Second, is the accountability of the policy that is made and focuses on the goal setting to improve the practice. Third is the enhancement of the financial management skills that are made by policymakers. Lastly, collaboration with other educational organizations.

Stream 3: The Influence of Power

Definition of power and why is it important to understand the influence of power in educational settings.

Power in educational settings is the ability to change the behavior of people with the help of social authority. Power cannot survive without the measures of freedom. Power is described as the relationship between the student and professor in an educational setting. Power is also defined as the actual enactment of a person's physical space. Power has the potential to make people fall due to the hierarchy as the potential of power is in exercise with authority. Powers also lead to negative results in an educational organization. There are different types of power that can be considered at an educational setting level. First is abdicated power which describes a scenario where the authority lacks the power. Second is autocratic power where authority is in a state of hypervigilance. Third is the relinquished power where the authority in power hands over the power to another authority within the organization (Alsobaie, 2015). The effect of power plays an important role in maintaining equality and fairness in educational settings. The dynamics of power can affect the resource allocation, decision-making, and distribution of opportunities in educational settings.

Power plays an important role in shaping the outcomes and dynamics of the teaching-learning experience. The study done by Harrison & Killion (2007) focuses on the fact that teachers should be conscious of the power dynamics to promote change at the institutional level. Educational leaders that are aware of the power dynamics help to develop the relationship within the educational settings that will help to support the educational leaders to foster a collaborative environment. Power necessarily impacts how students, managers, and teachers are treated and how well education is provided in that organization. With the help of power, educational administrators can encourage equity in the distribution of resources. This can happen only when administrators are aware of the power dynamics within the institution (Rankin & Reason, 2008).

How does power influence the practice of educational leaders?

The educational leader’s style is impacted by power usage and distribution. Educational leaders are powerful and influence the decisions that are taken for the organization. The power dynamics impact the relationship between educational leaders and stakeholders. Educational leadership plays an important role in the student’s performance and achievement. The study by Anderson (2017) building collaborative relationships results in successful educational leadership that can be challenging for other leaders who are not in power. The educational leaders who are in power also affect the policies that are carried out in the organization. The educational leaders who are in power have the ability to shape the behavior of others. The educational leaders who are in power in the educational settings can improve the organizational quality in terms of the education of the students (Peyton et al., 2019). There can be uneven implementation of the policy by educational leaders who are more assertive and less adaptable to the policies. The power of educational leaders also has an impact on organizational culture. The power has a great impact on the relationship of educational leaders in educational settings. Educational leadership strategies and techniques are also affected by power. Educational leaders who are sensitive toward the authority and advance the working relationship with the stakeholders are more likely to establish objectives and changes that are constructive for the institution. The educational leaders who are in power are more likely to achieve the objectives that are set for the betterment of the educational organization. There is a positive change in the institutions where the educational leaders have power and can also share the duties and responsibilities with the stakeholders (Schwab et al., 2015).

What does the research tell us about the relationship between politics, policy, and power in educational contexts?

Politics and policy are power all three associated with educational settings. Politics affect educational policy implementation and development in the organization. Policies that are implemented also influence the power within the organization. The implementation of the policy also affects the distribution of power within educational institutions. In the same way, power also influences the implementation of educational policy. All three factors, policy, power, and politics influence the level of trust and cooperation in educational institutions (Galey, 2015). Politics, policy, and power go hand in hand. All three influence each other directly or indirectly. The study done by Viennet R & Pont (2017) revealed that the policy implemented in education settings is shaped by the different processes in politics that include stakeholders, policymakers, and interest groups. The educational policy is also influenced by values, economic factors, and ideology. Education policy implementation is governed by educational leaders who are in power and have the authority for the implementation of the policy. The author has observed that educational policy implementation is a complex process and involves the stakeholders that can result in failure if the targets that are set are not achieved. Politics is governed by politicians, policymakers, and political parties. These elements may influence policy development and implementation through their actions, debates, and negotiations. The policy includes elements such as laws, regulations, guidelines, and frameworks that govern educational practices in the UK. These policies may be formulated at different levels, including national, regional, and local, and may be influenced by the political landscape. The policy decisions and implementation may influence the political landscape. For example, policy outcomes may be subject to political debates and may shape the agendas of politicians and policymakers, leading to changes in political ideologies or strategies The educational leaders succeed in their goals and also bring the changes that are positive at the institutional level by negotiating the organizational political and policy-based complications. In addition to this, the encouragement of having a positive relationship between the teachers, leaders, stakeholders, and students helps to promote open channels of communication (Galey, 2015)The better understanding of politics, policy, and power helps to promote equity which enhances the high-quality education in the organization. The dynamics between policy, power, and politics should be balanced in order to promote equity in the education system rather than just having educational outcomes.

What are your experiences of politics, policy, and power within your educational context?

 Example 1: Politics

I have done most of my education in the UK. The government in the UK ensures that children learn the basics of transferable skills. The government is involved in developing policies that assess and observe the educational outcomes that are related to the education system. Resource allocation is also taken care of by the policies developed by the government. This shows that political action and politics are persuasive in the UK'S educational system as they influence how the policies are executed and practiced in the educational system (Department for International Development, 2018). The government of the UK, England focuses on equity by giving opportunities to students. The policies that are implemented in the education system by the government focus on the improvement of the educational institutions that will help in the overall development of the students (Gunter, 2015). The National Government provides education which is good in quality for the children. The issues that are found in educational institutions are fixed by the Department of Education by designing new policies. The first major change in education policy in the UK was that the government made a compulsion for children to go to school at the age of ten. There are several education policies that are formed by the government to improve the UK. The number of academics that were owned by non-profit trusts increased significantly under the Conservative–Liberal Democrat Coalition Government (West, 2015). As a student, it is important to note politicking within the educational setting by involving in strategies like always being mindful of the rules and regulations made by the institution. It is also important to get involved in politicking in a very constructive and respectful manner and be aware of the potential consequences.

Example 2: Policy

The government of the UK is very concerned about the policies that are related to education and there are various rules and laws that ensure that students get good quality education. There are various policies that are implemented by the government to improve education in the UK. One such policy is The Tripartite System - 1944, which introduced secondary schools that were accessible to everyone in 1944. In this, there was an argument between the politicians that eleven plus exams are most likely to be passed by the middle-class students as they had wider resources and found it unfair for the students with mixed ability pupils. There are government policies on inclusion in education that aim to create educational opportunities for students irrespective of their background. The policies that are related to admission and enrollment affect the student’s experience in an educational context. The educational program for black boys involved the Generating Genius program that aimed to get back 25 black boys from failing at schools (Study Smarter, (n.d.).The education policy institute is an evidence-based research institute that is independent and impartial to promote high-quality education outcomes for all students regardless of their background. The education policy institute aims to boost the standards in education through accurate analysis of data, research, and exchange of information which will help to inform the public and influence the government and its decision-makers (Education Policy Institute, 2023). The policies that are related to child protection are important aspects of the educational context. The Department of Education is responsible for safeguarding and child protection in England by implementing policies and statutory guidance on how the child protection system should work (NSPCC, 2022). Policies offer direction for making decisions and encourage responsibility for the outcomes of educational practices. As a leader in education, I can use policy to develop, carry out, and assess educational initiatives. In addition, policies offer a framework for creating curricula, teaching resources, and evaluation. Regardless of a student's background or circumstances, I can use policy to guarantee that my educational programs are fair and meet their needs.

Example 3: Power

The curriculum, academic materials, and programs that are prepared by the institution are all influenced by the authority that is in power. Power dynamics can be complex and multifaceted in the case of educational settings as various stakeholders have different levels of power. The interaction and relationship between educational leaders, teachers, students, and stakeholders impact the policies and practices that are implemented by the government. The promotion of power is inclusive of the decision-making processes that can lead to a more effective and inclusive education system. In the UK the involvement of the government in power empowers education by setting up rules, regulations, and policies (Peyton et al., 2019). The policy may be used by educational leaders to develop and implement programs that promote the growth of teachers, the accomplishments of students, and the effectiveness of school administration. As a leader in education, I am in a position to address power imbalances within the organization by emphasizing the need for transparency and equity in the decision-making process. This involves providing the stakeholders with information that is precise and clear in the decision-making process, requesting their feedback and input, and ensuring that choices are made fairly and equitably for all parties involved. In addition to this, I am able to argue for moral leadership that prioritizes caring ideals and principles of justice. For the purpose of addressing power imbalances within educational institutions In addition, in order to address the imbalances of power that exist inside their organizations, I urge the development of reflective cultures. This means encouraging constant reflection on the power dynamics that exist within the organization, as well as how those dynamics influence the overall quality of the educational experiences that students have and the effectiveness of the organization.

Conclusion

To promote educational equity and excellence, it is necessary to comprehend the politics, policies, and power of education. As discussed above we now know that politics entails competing parties making claims to generate support for their agendas, whereas policy entails diverse strategic planning for the development of students and society. Politics is defined as the series of processes by which some people try to influence informally or formally the action of others. Power influences the effectiveness of educational leaders because social authority influences behavior. Power dynamics influence the allocation of resources, the making of decisions, and the distribution of opportunities in education; therefore, it is necessary to comprehend institutional power dynamics in order to effect institutional change. Political involvement is most likely highest at the administration level. The influence of politics on educational settings should be reviewed and analyzed from time to time for the development of the education system. Politics is another key tool that is used by leaders including educational leaders to achieve goals with the help of other people. The government of the UK, England focuses on equity by giving opportunities to students. The policies that are implemented in the education system by the government focus on the improvement of the educational institutions that will help in the overall development of the students. There are government policies on inclusion in education that aim to create educational opportunities for the students irrespective of their background.? The curriculum, academic materials, and programs that are prepared by the institution are all influenced by the authority that is in power. The government in the UK ensures that children learn the basics of transferable skills. The promotion of power is inclusive of the decision-making processes that can lead to a more effective and inclusive education system. In the UK the involvement of the government in power empowers education by setting up rules, regulations, and policies. By understanding politics, policy, and power in education, educational leaders can negotiate the complexities of educational governance, advocate for equitable resource distribution, and ensure inclusive, transparent decision-making processes. In addition, understanding power dynamics enables leaders to cultivate an organizational culture that respects the rights and dignity of all stakeholders, such as students, managers, and instructors. This, in turn, contributes to the provision of high-quality education that fosters the growth and development of students and society as a whole.

References

 Bush, T. (2011). The micropolitics of educational change.  Educational Management Administration & Leadership ,  39 (6), 642-645. 10.1177/1741143211424559

 Education Policy Institute. (2023). About us. https://epi.org.uk/

ACECQA. (2018). The role of the educational leader. https://www.acecqa.gov.au/media/26531#:~:text=The%20role%20of%20the%20educational%20leader%20is%20primarily%20to%3A%20%E2%80%A2,educational%20program%20in%20the%20service

Agi, U. K., Kalagbor, L., & Anthony, H. (2016). Politics of Educational Leadership: Its Implications for Secondary School Improvement in Rivers State.  Journal of education and practice ,  7 (21), 72-79. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1109420.pdf

Alsobaie, M. F. (2015). Power and Authority in Adult Education. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(15), 155-159.https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1079973.pdf

Ambo, A. A., Dabi, K., & Chan, T. C. (2021). Stakeholders' perception of political influences on quality management of secondary education in Ethiopia.  Educational Planning ,  28 (1), 35-53.https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1284818.pdf

Anderson, M. (2017). Transformational leadership in education: A review of existing literature.  International Social Science Review ,  93 (1), 1-13. https://www.jstor.org/stable/90012919

Annual Reviews. (2022). Education and Political Participation. https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-polisci-051120-014235

Baba, E. S., Yiljeya, A.Y., Garba, N.E., & Yusuf, D. (2020). Influence of Politics on Students’ Academic PerformancE of Public Senior Secondary Schools in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State. https://seahipaj.org/journals-ci/june-2020/IJISSER/full/IJISSER-J-3-2020.pdf

Ball, S. J., Maguire, M., & Braun, A. (2011).  How schools do policy: Policy enactments in secondary schools . Routledge. https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Alt5UmLmvQwC&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=Ball+S.

Beatriz, P., Deborah, N., & Hunter, M. (2008).  Improving school leadership, volume 1 policy and practice: Policy and practice  (Vol. 1). OECD publishing. https://www.oecd.org/education/school/41200009.pdf

Bigham, G., & Ray, J. (2012). The influence of local politics on educational decisions.  Current Issues in Education ,  15 (2). http://cie.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/cieatasu/article/download/996/341

Colman, A. (2021). School leadership, school inspection and the micropolitics of compliance and resistance: Examining the hyper-enactment of policy in an area of deprivation.  Educational Management Administration & Leadership ,  49 (2), 268-283. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143219898479

Department for International Development. (2018). Education policy. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-education-policy-2018-get-children-learning/dfid-education-policy

Galey, S. (2015). Education politics and policy: Emerging institutions, interests, and ideas.  Policy Studies Journal ,  43 (S1), S12-S39. https://doi.org/10.1111/psj.12100

Gunter, H. M. (2015). The politics of education policy in England.  International journal of inclusive education ,  19 (11), 1206-1212. 10.1080/13603116.2015.1044206

Harrison, C., & Killion, J. (2007). Ten roles for teacher leaders.  Educational leadership ,  65 (1), 74. https://library.ecu.edu/wp-content/pv-uploads/sites/267/2018/06/2010-Finding-the-Leader-Within-You-2.pdf

Heywood, P. (2013).  Politics and policy in democratic Spain: no longer different? . Routledge.https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=VUAAAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Heywood,+P.+(2013)

Jafarov, S., & Aliyev, Y. (2021). Education Policy and Leadership.  International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development , (6), 14-23. https://doi.org/10.18775/ijied.1849-7551-7020.2015.76.2002

National Education Association. ( 2018). 'Education is Political': Neutrality in the Classroom Shortchanges Students. https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/education-political-neutrality-classroom-shortchanges-students

NSPCC. (2022). Child protection system in England. https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-protection-system/england#:~:text=The%20Children%20Act%201989%20provides,duties%20of%20care%20to%20children.

Peyton, T., Zigarmi, D., & Fowler, S. N. (2019). Examining the relationship between leaders' power use, followers' motivational outlooks, and followers' work intentions.  Frontiers in psychology ,  9 , 2620. 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02620

Pont, B. (2014). School Leadership: From Practice to Policy.  International journal of educational leadership and management ,  2 (1), 4-28. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1111660.pdf

Rankin, S., & Reason, R. (2008). Transformational Tapestry Model: A comprehensive approach to transforming campus climate.  Journal of Diversity in Higher Education ,  1 (4), 262. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014018

Schwab, S., Gebhardt, M., Krammer, M., & Gasteiger-Klicpera, B. (2015). Linking self-rated social inclusion to social behaviour. An empirical study of students with and without special education needs in secondary schools.  European Journal of Special Needs Education ,  30 (1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2014.933550

Study Smarter. (n.d.). Government Education Policies. https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/social-studies/education-with-methods-in-context/government-education-policies/

The British Academy. (2020). What is Politics?. https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/blog/what-is-politics/

Viennet, R., & Pont, B. (2017). Education Policy Implementation: A Literature Review and Proposed Framework. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 162.  OECD Publishing . https://one.oecd.org/document/EDU/WKP(2017)11/En/pdf

West, A. (2015). Education policy and governance in England under the Coalition Government (2010-15): academies, the pupil premium and free early education.  London Review of Education ,  13 (2), 21-36.https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1160146.pdf

You Might Also Like

Leadership Assignment Help

Nursing Assignment Sample Leadership and Management

Nursing Leadership Assessment Answer

Looking For Complete Assignment Sample Get It On WhatsApp