In recent years educational policy studies have taken on a new significance. There is a growing recognition of education as a strategic factor in national economic welfare, and this has resulted in educational policy becoming a high-priority issue. From an exploration of the term "educational policy studies" to in-depth examinations of what can make or break an educational policy, this straightforward text clarifies both the background issues and the purely technical matters that can affect policy. Jerome Delaney has broken down the issues and practical concerns involved in educational policy studies by chapter, and not only provides an overview of the current literature surrounding each issue, but also offers a more practical take based on his experiences as a high school principal.