Policy Process Theories

Describe the Stages-Heuristic theory of the policy process. What are the stages of policy development it includes? Discuss this theory and compare it to the other dominant theoretical frameworks. Then, select one other theory and discuss its strengths and weaknesses as compared to the Stages-Heuristic framework.

Examine and evaluate the problem identification and agenda setting stages of the policy process in this week's required reading assignment. Discuss the process whereby a problem ultimately ends up on an agenda to be discussed. Then, discuss the agenda setting process as it relates to education; how it came to be identified as a problem and what led to its gaining enough attention so as to bring it to an agenda. Who was involved and what were their roles?