Curriculum Studies in Relation to the Field of Educational Policy

Educational policy frequently impacts the school curriculum, either directly or indirectly, and consequently, should be a major concern of scholars in curriculum studies. The term educational policy refers to the rules and regulations that direct and govern schools, higher education institutions, and other organizations, programs, and initiatives that consciously promote learning. Policies normally are explicitly articulated and formally established; sometimes, however, the norms and standard operating procedures of organizational culture can function as quasi-policies and make formal policies unnecessary.

Although policies can be written more as suggestions than directives, a policy also can spell out significant consequences for complying or failing [Page 259]to comply with policy mandates. A recent example of an educational policy that stipulates negative consequences is the No Child Left Behind Act enacted ...