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Steps to Conduct a Policy Context Evaluation

A step-by-step look into assessing policy to establish sustainable programs

Overview

Policies impact many facets of the education system, influencing students' access to resources and opportunities as well as system leaders’ ability to create changes to enhance educational access and outcomes. Evaluating the policy context is crucial for tackling educational challenges ranging from digital equity to student nutrition. This process helps leaders make informed decisions, avoid duplication, and maximize impact. A policy assessment reveals gaps and opportunities to align educational goals with local, state, and federal priorities. Recognizing these opportunities then allows leaders to implement effective strategies in line with policies.

As illustrated by the steps below using an example focused on student nutrition, evaluating policy can help leaders establish sustainable nutrition programs, contributing to the academic success of all learners in hybrid and virtual learning environments. System leaders and their teams should consider applying a similar approach to better understand their unique policy context.

Step 1: Review Existing Policies

Begin by examining current district, state, and/or federal policies related to nutrition services to understand what may apply to your virtual or hybrid setting. For example, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), is a federal program offering reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks provided to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating childcare centers, daycare homes, and adult daycare centers. Aim to identify any policies that explicitly or implicitly support nutrition services for any or all of the students within your setting.

Step 2: Evaluate Policy Alignment

It is then important to assess the alignment of existing school nutrition policies, if they exist, with the unique aspects of virtual and hybrid education models. Identify areas where existing policies, such as those that limit or restrict food delivery exclusively to students at physical locations, may need modification to better support the needs of virtual and hybrid learners.

Step 3: Examine Flexibility

Education leaders should then determine the flexibility within current policies to adapt to the challenges posed by virtual and hybrid education. This could be to identify eligible populations in accordance with existing policies that align with their school demographics. Then leaders can begin to develop ways to address the needs of those eligible populations. Additionally, leaders should thoroughly evaluate any policy adjustments or exemptions that will accommodate the distinctive needs of all virtual and hybrid learners.

Step 4: Assess Demographics

It is critical to identify your learner demographics to determine the implications of socioeconomic and other factors on access to nutrition services in virtual and hybrid education. Additional considerations include access to transportation, the necessity for English language support, distance from nutrition facilities, and consistent internet access as well as digital literacy for receiving essential information about nutrition services. These demographic insights empower education leaders to implement targeted strategies that account for the diverse needs of learners, ensuring equitable access to nutrition services in the virtual and hybrid learning environment.

Step 5: Engage Community Advocates

Explore the potential involvement of influential community members such as local community centers, religious institutions, or even chambers of commerce in endorsing and championing virtual school nutrition services, thereby increasing policymaker support.

Taking It Forward

While these steps are specific to addressing student nutrition, they are just as applicable to other complex challenges. Before moving forward with any initiative, plan, or program, leaders must have a clear understanding of the policy context. The questions below intend to help school and system leaders strategically evaluate policies, ensuring a comprehensive, strategic, and informed plan of action.

  1. What are the existing local, state, and/or federal guidelines relevant to your setting? Understanding the regulatory framework is crucial for compliance and ensuring that programs \ meet established standards.

  2. How do existing federal, state, or local policies align with your education model? Assessing the compatibility of current policies with the unique aspects of your unique learning environment(s) is essential for effective implementation.

  3. What flexibility exists within current policies to adapt to the particular challenges of virtual and hybrid education? Determine the extent to which local, state, and/or federal policies can be adapted or modified to accommodate the distinctive needs and circumstances of virtual and hybrid learning, such as offering in-person student support (i.e., after-school or summer programs) to meet the in-person requirements of various funding sources.

  4. What are the implications of socioeconomic factors? Consider the economic disparities among your students and assess how these may impact access to programs. Determine whether policies might have varying effects on different groups of students and how other policies might address that disparity.

  5. What role can prominent and influential members of the community play in advocating for policy changes? Explore the potential involvement of influential community members – such as local business owners, members of the local chamber of commerce, state representatives, or school board members – in endorsing and championing your initiative, thereby increasing policymaker support.