The readings this week examine the topics of problem identification and agenda setting in the policy process. In addition to the text book chapters, read The Process: Policy Development (Links to an external site.) and review The Public Policy Process (Links to an external site.). Use the required resources to address the following:

Explain the problem identification and agenda setting stages of the policy process…

What is agenda setting? Who is responsible for agenda setting in the public policy process? Be sure that you provide a thorough discussion of the process whereby a problem ultimately ends up on an agenda to be discussed.

Discuss the agenda setting process as it relates to education in particular. Be sure to address how education came to be identified as a problem and what led to its gaining enough attention so as to bring it on to the agenda. Be sure to address who was involved and what were their roles?

There are several recommended resources that can assist you with this part of the discussion.

Your post should be at least 300 words in length. Support your points with scholarly references, appropriate citations, and full references at the conclusion of your post. Cite your sources in APA format.

Required Resources

Required Text

1. The policy game: Understanding U.S. public policy making

Chapter 3: Diverse Theoretical Frameworks for Understanding the Policy Process

Chapter 4: Issues, Problems, and Agenda Setting

Chapter 9: A Case Study in Agenda Setting: The Development of Federal Policy on Education

Article

1. The Policy Project. (n.d.). “The Process: Policy Development (Links to an external site.).” Retrieved from: http://www.policyproject.com/policycircle/content…. (This article discusses the issues of agenda setting and framing in the policy formulation process. Read this article to successfully complete this week’s discussion, “Problem Identification and Agenda Setting.”)

Multimedia

1. Patel, M. (2012, May 7). Changing education paradigms (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from (In order to successfully complete this week’s assignment, “Education in the United States,” watch this video and/or read the transcript (Links to an external site.).)

Website

1. University of Texas at Austin. Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services. (n.d.). “The Public Policy Process (Links to an external site.).” Retrieved from: http://www.laits.utexas.edu/gov310/PEP/policy/ (This website provides an overview of the main steps in the public policy process, from problem identification to agenda setting and all the way to implementation. Review this website to successfully complete this week’s discussion, “Problem Identification and Agenda Setting.”)