Development of international education policy in higher education: A case study of the Illinois Higher Education International Education Act of 1992

The purpose of this study was to analyze the policy formulation process and encompassing factors that initiated and led to the passage of Public Act 87-1179, (P. A. 87-1179) the Illinois Higher Education International Education Act of 1992.;The research technique was the case study. This research employed a chronological and a thematic approach within the chronology. Data were analyzed by: (1) Reviewing the relevant policy formulation process literature; (2) reviewing the IBHE International Policy Study Committee policy formulation process; (3) developing a theoretic policy formulation process based on literature review by eclectically selecting and combining policy formulation steps suggested from various policy authors, and (4) analyzing and comparing the theoretic policy formulation process previously developed from the related literature review and the policy formulation process of P. A. 87-1179 for similarities and differences.;Data were analyzed from three time frames in chronological order: (1) 1984-1990, "Early Illinois International Education Legislation Initiatives"; (2) 1991, "Senate Resolution 618"; and (3) 1992-1993, "House Bills 3252 and 3347, and Public Act 87-1179, the Illinois Higher Education International Education Act of 1992.;Findings. International education and policy literature. (1) There is a national need to internationalize United States' educational systems to give students global competence in order to effectively and efficiently function as current and future literate global citizens. (2) A committed and successful international educational framework requires a well-conceived international policy formulation. Policy focuses and directs the decision-making process; putting the policy directives in writing promotes action. Case study Illinois international education. The IBHE International Education Policy Study Committee was assembled to develop a policy to guide Public Act 87-1179. According to the policy formulation literature, the Committee progressed through a logical and methodical process to policy fruition. The following outlines the theoretic policy formulation process: (1) Recognition; (2) Framing; (3) Search; (4) Crafting/Policy Formulation; (5) Legitimation; (6) Structured Delivery System; (7) Implementation; (8) Evaluation; (9) Policy Change; and (10) Termination.