Barriers to Success? The Role of Statewide Education Governance Structures in P-20 Council Collaboration

Abstract

Collaboration between K-12 and higher education sectors has not been as productive as participants and policy leaders would like -especially in an era of emphasis on college readiness and completion, which requires such collaboration. Various mechanisms have been used to foster collaboration including state P-20 (early learning through higher education) councils, however these have not always produced the results participants desire and research on why this is so is limited. This study utilizes state education governance and inter-organizational relations literatures to hypothesize that structural barriers to collaboration prevent P-20 councils from reaching their potential. This comparative case study of three state P-20 councils finds that state education governance structures may erect barriers to collaboration. However, this research also shows that P-20 councils, if thoughtfully structured, can help ameliorate these barriers. Keywords: P-20 Council; education governance; higher education; K-12; state education policy; collaboration; inter-organizational relations ¿Barreras Para el Exito? El Papel de las Estructuras de Colaboración y Gobierno Estaduales en los Consejos P-20 Resumen: La colaboración entre los sectores de educación superior y los de educación básica no ha sido tan productiva comosus participantes y líderes políticos les gustaría -especialmente en una era de énfasis en la preparación para ingresar y completar la universidad, que requiere este tipo de epaa aape Education Policy Analysis Archives Vol. 23 No. 74 2 colaboración. Varios mecanismos se han utilizado para fomentar la colaboración incluyendo consejos estaduales de coordinación entre los diferentes niveles (P-20=del preescolar a laeducación superior) sin embargo, estos no siempre han producido los resultados que los participantes desean y la investigación sobre por qué esto es así, es limitada. Este estudio utiliza la literatura sobre gobernanza de la educación estatal y de relaciones inter-organizacionales, para analizar la hipótesis de que las barreras estructurales a la colaboración impiden a los consejos P-20 de alcanzar su potencial. Este estudio de caso comparativo de tres consejos estaduales P-20 concluye que las estructuras de gobernanza de educación estatales pueden erigir barreras a la colaboración. Sin embargo, esta investigación también muestra que concejos P-20, si son estructurados cuidadosamente, pueden ayudar a eliminar estas barreras. Palabras clave: Consejos P-20; gobernanza de la educación; educación superior; K-12; política educativa estatal; colaboración; relaciones inter-organizacionales Barreiras para o Sucesso? O Papel das Estruturas de Colaboração e Governo Estadual nos Conselhos P-20Resumo: A colaboração entre os sectores do ensino superior e educação básica não tem sido tão produtiva quanto seus participantes e líderes políticos gostariam -especialmente em uma época de ênfase na preparação para entrar e completar os estudos superiores, que requer este tipo de colaboração. Vários mecanismos têm sido ut...

A critical policy analysis of Texas’ Closing the Gaps 2015

“…For example, councils established by gubernatorial executive order might be seen as political and less sustainable through changes in leadership (Data Quality Campaign, 2012). Other obstacles include current education governance structures, such as separate governance and/or authority, leadership, and funding systems for K-12 and higher education (Hoffman, Vargas, Venezia, & Miller, 2007;Rippner, 2015). Without authority, P-16 councils have been met by criticisms due to the councils' inability to affect change and shift from policy development to policy implementation (Data Quality Campaign, 2012; Rippner, 2015; Van de Water & Krueger, 2002;Venezia, Callan, Kirst, & Usdan, 2006).…”

“…Evaluating the progress of P-16 reform policies has proven difficult to measure due to the broad objectives of these policies, as well as additional obstacles in measuring its success, including variation in policy in order to fit the state and local context (Blume & Zumeta, 2013;Nuñez & Oliva, 2009). Researchers have found positive findings for P-16 reforms, most often on a smaller and more localized scale, however less information is known about P-16 policies and their influence on creating an integrated educational system that is inclusive, sustainable and successful (Perna & Armijo, 2014;Rippner, 2015).…”

K–12/Higher Education Bridge Approach Toward Social Justice: Leadership Reconsidered

“…Kirst and Usdan (2009) noted that persistent barriers between the two sectors include a lack of curriculum alignment, differing allocation of finances, insufficient data sharing, and separate accountability structures. Multiple parties such as state lawmakers, local, and educational leaders have a shared interest in both K-12 and higher education coming together for the purpose of increasing educational attainment (Rippner, 2015). Consistent world rankings have the United States losing ground to other world competitors, particularly in the math and science categories.…”

“…This underscores the need for the two sectors to seek effective ways to communicate and better coordinate efforts. A positive result that can come out of this partnership is a smoother transition from high school to college for the student whereby necessary information on college entrance requirements and funding options is provided and the United States can make a dent on moving up in international rankings (Rippner, 2015). Additionally, such a collaborative effort would reduce the level of under-preparedness for some college goers and scale back the need for college remedial courses.…”

“…The council must be proactive in moving the two sectors to work collaboratively. Prior research suggest that such councils already in existence have varying degree with some providing meaningful interaction between the two sides, while others are simply get to know you forums (Domina & Ruzek, 2012;Kirst & Venezia, 2004;Nứñez & Oliva, 2009;Rippner, 2015;Shulock, 2009).…”