Disseminating Research to Policymakers Gina Burkhardt Learning Point Associates August 25, 2005

Education Policymakers: Who Are They? Superintendents and other local education officials (school board members) Chief state school officers; State Boards of Education State higher education executive officers State legislators Governors and their educational policy advisors Congress and their staff members Education association directors

Related to Research, Policymakers say they…. Read research reports some or most of the time Get information from the Internet, electronic mailing lists, ERIC, professional conferences, RELs, journals, magazines, professional organizations

About Research? Policymakers Say that….. Much of what they receive is overly academic, and too theoretical Most does not meet their immediate needs Most does not specifically address differences in demographics or geography Most is too often based on methodology that is less than rigorous Most is often biased by political or marketing agendas Synectics 2003

Most Helpful Research? Policymakers say ….. Is timely and provides reliable data for answering common questions about complex issues Is based on rigorous methodology and is delivered by credible sources Addresses current and critical state policy issues TQ Source Survey 2004

Using the Research? Policymakers say it can … Clarify an issue (i.e., making it more complex or more simple) Identify and provide options to consider Make a compelling argument to strengthen and enlarge coalitions Help to reorder the political agenda by moving a problem up or down in priority Affect the design of specific provisions in a law or policy

Connecting Research to Policymakers: What to do? Know your audience and address their issue Don’t assume background knowledge Present findings of interest (delete the extraneous) Present timely, accurate information Offer relevant scenarios – include interpretation and application of the research

Connecting Research to Policymakers: What to do? Provide policy recommendations Apply a journalistic approach (headlines, executive summaries, chapter summaries) Use language that is accessible and jargon-free Provide questions that could be asked and answers that can be delivered

Connecting Research to Policymakers: How to do it? Use multiple modalities (full reports and summaries, audio and print, internet and hard copy, in-person and remote) Network, network, network – build relationships and nurture them continuously Identify and work through a key conduit Be proactive and provide information upfront as policy issues are percolating

Apply Research to Policymaking in order to….. Set and/or validate agenda Guide the questions asked as the policy is designed Identify complexities and/or considerations Identify gaps in knowledge and application Connect action across localities

Potential Impact of Applying Research to Policymaking Policy decisions will become based on fact rather than assumption and/or anecdote Research will become more accessible, understandable, contextual, defensible Research and Policy practices will be pushed to include quality assurance mechanisms

Potential Impact of Applying Research to Policymaking Policy will drive research and research will drive policy decisions Research will become an essential ingredient in setting a federal, state or local policy agenda More constituencies will be equipped to advocate for and/or question research and policies practices and decisions

Recommendations to Support a Connection Ensure there is a strong underlying research methodology and quality assurance practice (if the audience does not like what they are hearing this is the first line of attack) Don’t get lost in detail – make your message accessible and direct. Speak first to the constituents’ primary concern Find a key conduit and develop and nurture a relationship

Recommendations to Support a Connection Don’t make assumptions about your audience’s background, knowledge, or level of ability to interpret or adapt the research to complex contexts or situations Offer to provide application support. Beware of “hot buttons” taking over the more important message Release information in small chunks, in sequence, and pay attention to writing good summaries

Recommendations to Support a Connection Beware of politicize possibilities Use multiple modalities that are jargon free and include graphics Emphasize the results

And most importantly do not ever say….. IT DEPENDS!!!!

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