I often say that I was ruined in my Policy Analysis class. The reality is that I have often been inquisitive by nature, but was quick to accept things at "face value." I walked away from this class with a bit of angst. I became very analytical and skeptical of all things policy related. I was astounded at the discoveries I made in this class. Realizing that I had walked along blindly was not a comforting feeling and embracing this analytical side to begin to explore things with a more critical lens became unsettling and reasuring at the same time. They do say "ignorance is bliss."
I understand this statement now. While, I am challenged to see anything at face value, I do feel as though I am becoming well-informed and am becoming quite adept at exploring the background, lobbyist, and the funding sources that are driving policy change. The art of being able to analyze a policy, identify underlying causation, weighing the positive and negative impacts that the policy may have and determining whether the policy will benefit students is a challenge to say the least. Although it is a challenge, it is not only necessary but vital to being able to make decisions about how to best help children.
