Term of Award
Fall 2014
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in Education Administration (Ed.D.)
Document Type and Release Option
Dissertation (restricted to Georgia Southern)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Leadership, Technology, and Human Development
Committee Chair
Paul Brinson
Committee Member 1
Stephen Jenkins
Committee Member 2
Samuel Hardy
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to identify the decision-making processes of legislators engaged in public policy regarding education in Georgia. The study used a qualitative design. The researcher used short surveys and in-depth semi-structured interviews to understand the decision-making processes utilized by Georgia legislators engaged in public policy regarding education.
Each of the eight participants chosen for the study was purposefully chosen based on factors including party affiliation, location of district, gender, race, and years of experience so that a diverse representation was achieved. Each participant was assured anonymity and was represented solely as a participant number.
Findings revealed that most legislators relied on common sense and their personal background experiences when making decisions on how to vote on policy matters related to education. Though research is often available from various sources, time constraints often inhibit the use of such research. Other variables that influenced voting strategies included fiscal impacts, unintended consequences, timing, and most influential, sponsorship of the bill. Party affiliation and lobbyists were not seen as major influences.
Colleges of education, professional organizations for educators, school districts, and school personnel should be interested in the results so as to inform educational leaders and teachers of the need to well inform senior level, high-ranking members of the legislature of matters relevant to educational policy. Clearly, understanding how legislators decide to vote enables impacted parties to better influence decision-making.
INDEX WORDS: Decision-making, Georgia Legislators, Dissertation.
OCLC Number
1041145287
Catalog Permalink
https://galileo-georgiasouthern.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01GALI_GASOUTH/1fi10pa/alma9916357187502950
Recommended Citation
Tam, William N., "An Investigation Into the Decision-Making Processes of Legislators Engaged in Public Policy Regarding Education" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1185.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/1185
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
