Framing Problems

In the video, Cohen and Michelli discuss the alliance they assembled to bring attention to the importance of school climate. They allude to the needs and concerns of their potential partners. In this Discussion, you will evaluate their use of constructs such as symbols, numbers, interests, and causes to frame their issue and build support for a solution. To prepare for this Discussion, review the key concepts of Chapters 1, 3 and 4 of the policy text and read the Anyon article. Review the video paying close attention to the panelists’ knowledge of the organizational landscape. How did they use their familiarity with the needs and concerns of potential partners to craft a cohesive alliance? Media Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2012b). Section II: Identifying and engaging policy advocates [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 15 minutes. This is Section II of a four-section case study featuring the National School Climate Center (NSCC). The NSCC’s efforts to draw national attention to the importance of school climate provide a focus for the Discussion questions in Modules 1 through 4. Panelists Jonathan Cohen, PhD, NSCC President, and Nicholas Michelli, PhD, Presidential Professor at The City University of New York, discuss their experience with the following tasks: Labeling an issue or problem Identifying possible solutions Forming policy alliances Implementing national policy standards at the state level In Section II, Cohen and Michelli discuss the following subjects: Historical, economic, and social context for the development of school climate standards Identification of potential partners Building a policy alliance Place of school climate standards within the public education agenda