| The enactment of the Elementary and Secondary School Act of 1964 (ESEA) changed the influence of the national government's role in state education systems. It also impacted the role of state departments of education and state legislatures in local education agencies.; This research examines one piece of legislation, South Carolina ACT 135 of 1993. The researcher dissects the decision-making processes to document the morphology of the Early Childhood and Academic Assistance Act of 1993 (ACT 135). Through triangular data verification the researcher reports the perceived needs of the legislation, the final product, the influences of the political-educational process and the results of the legislation.; The study provides knowledge and understanding of the political education process within the context of one piece of legislation. The conclusions of the study determine that education policy development evolve from a perceived need for change. As the culture ripens for change, conflict over solutions that reflect different values emerge along with evidence of power. The recommendations include establishing data expectations when legislation is passed and collecting baseline data immediately. This affects the perceived need for change. A final recommendation is to use this knowledge of the process in future political education processes. |
