The use of history in educational policy: An analysis of Alberta's Heritage Language Policy, 1971

This thesis explored the basis for using history in the public policy-making process and how history can properly be used in this process. This investigation served as a basis from which an analysis of the development of the Heritage Language Policy of Alberta (1971) was accomplished to determine the appropriateness of the policy and whether and how the policymakers used history in the policy's development.;The analysis of Alberta's Heritage Language Policy revealed that the proper use of history was never really considered by policy-makers involved in the development of this policy. In fact, upon closer examination, it was determined that the Modified Neustadt and May Techniques or any similar techniques could have brought marginal improvements to the Heritage Language Policy of Alberta. These findings suggested that the use of the "Modified Techniques" could be beneficial for future policy analysis and development. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).