Since the 1970s, American governors have become increasingly active in education politics. Where they once told state education chiefs to "make me the best education governor ever," they now demand control of state boards of education, push for state control of school funding, and urge statewide standards for teacher evaluation. This…

This article identifies supporters and opponents of charter schools at all levels of government and describes their motivations and behaviors. It is explained that state and local support for charter schools is most often determined by educational needs and material incentives. Different political contexts produce different charter school…

The knowledge base of state politics involved in formation of educational policies has become richer and more complex, with individual research findings beginning to hang together. Continued study of political cultures and policy makers' orientations is needed to create a knowledge base that can support theory development. (CB)

Key policy actors in six states (Arizona, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) indicate a strong national consensus about seven basic policy mechanisms. While school finance dominated policy making, personnel, testing, and program definition policies had importance, followed by school governance, curriculum materials,…

The confirmed existence of political culture in the attitudes of education policymakers in six states (Arizona, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginai, and Wisconsin) indicates that how education leaders decide about policy may depend less on what resources the states have than how leaders expect the political system to operate. (CB)

The complex and varied nature of state education policymaking is illustrated through six case studies detailing political influences at work in six states (Arizona, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin). (CB)

This article identifies, describes, and demonstrates theoretical and methodological developments through a study of policy cultures in six states (Arizona, California, Illinois, Penneylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin). (CB)

The perspective of a legislative staff member regarding the utility of research concerning policy making is presented as well as recommendations about other useful areas of research. (CB)