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Dissertation Information for Fred Heath

NAME:
- Fred Heath

DEGREE:
- Ed.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Education

SCHOOL:
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (USA) (1980)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Inspected

Title: THE POLICY ROLE OF THE VIRGINIA STATE COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract: The problem of this study was to describe and analyze the contribution to policy development of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The roles of the major actors, both within the State Council and elsewhere within the formal government structure were reviewed, as were their inter-relationships. The intent of the study was to provide a better understanding of the governmental process as it applies to higher education. By providing insight into SCHEV's role in the policy development process, by analyzing its interactions with other actors in the policy arena, it was hoped a clearer perspective could be gained on how needs are articulated, how access to the decision-making machinery is gained, and who acts on educational inputs on their way to becoming policy.

The research employed an ex post facto design. The issue analysis methodology was applied to two case studies, and reputational analysis techniques were also applied to the data. In order to facilitate analysis of the data in conceptual stages, a systems model was applied to set the parameters of analysis. The research traced the evolution of SCHEV from its origins in 1956 to the present, emphasizing the watershed legislation of 1974 which fundamentally altered the nature of its relationships with other actors.

In addition to SCHEV, the research found four other groups to be involved in the higher education policymaking process: (1) the Executive Branch, (2) the General Assembly, (3) the institutions, and (4) outside interest groups. Within SCHEV, the inter-relationships of four groups were analyzed: (1) the appointed members of Council, (2) the Director, (3) the staff, and (4) the advisory committees. The conclusions accorded a strong role to staff in the shaping of public policy and found that the influence of SCHEV may vary as policies under question are perceived to be of greater or lesser importance. It was suggested that power is a shared commodity, and that the increase in responsibilities or authority of one agency necessarily affects the roles of the other actors in the policymaking process. The study further suggested that the institutions have lost influence as SCHEV and the other central agencies have gained statutory powers.

MPACT Scores for Fred Heath

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2009-05-18 10:23:32

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