The changing role of interest groups in education: Nationalization and thenew politics of education productivity

The politics of education in the United States has changed in recent decade s from one approximating professionally dominated subgovernments to issue n etworks, which are characterized by more ideational, macropolitical interes t groups as well as shifting and unstable coalitions. This transformation i s caused, first, by the growth of national discourse and federal power The two often go hand in hand but are not synonymous, and nationalizing influen ces have expanded despite unresolved debate about the federal role in educa tion. Other courses include the intensified debate, divergent demands for r eform of public schools, and the expanding role of the political right. The new politics of education productivity has reshaped the way discourse on e ducation policy is conducted and the perceptions of common interests. Despi te nationalizing trends in setting policy agendas, implementation of reform s is dominated by local politics, where micropolitical interests often frus trate reformers. This tension is built into our political system.