Induced Horizontal Policy Diffusion: Developing an Interstate Framework for Identifying Effective K–12 Education Policy Solutions

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 12:40 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Implementation of State-Level Policy (Table 21)

Abstract

Since education is constitutionally a matter, this study put forward a new conceptual framework for states to identify comparable jurisdictions with better education quality. These leader states were assumed to have effective K-12 education policies that can be successfully adopted by similar jurisdictions. States were grouped into clusters by applying principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering on 26 variables derived primarily from federal databases. State-level NAEP math results were added to rank the jurisdictions. Possible policy diffusion pathways within and across clusters were then visualized as interstate policy diffusion maps (IPDMs). More research is needed to validate the proposed framework and methodologies. However, this study represents the first step in developing a coherent strategy for improving state K-12 education systems.

Author

• Vinh Quang Tran, St. John's University