Engaging Critical Policy Analysis as a Practice-Relevant Framework for PK-12 Educational Leaders

• In Event: Empowering Leaders via Policy and Leadership Development for Diverse Educational Settings

Abstract

Critical policy analysis (CPA) has the potential to empower educational leaders as they navigate complex policy contexts and promote equity and social justice in their communities. Yet, how CPA is taught and integrated into leadership programs warrants further exploration. This paper discusses CPA as both an academic research practice and a practical strategy, emphasizing its unique potential to bridge the theory-practice gap. We demonstrate how CPA can provide timely and relevant impacts for practitioners and policy decision-makers, offering a hopeful outlook for the future of education.

Authors

• Lolita A. Tabron, University of Denver

• Michelle D. Young, University of California - Berkeley

• Sarah Diem, University of Missouri