EDAD 8125 A01: Educ Politics Policy Making US

EDAD 8125 - Educational Politics and Policymaking in the United States

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 42539,
Credit hours: 3

Course Meeting Times

Instructor

Robert Marino

Professional Qualifications:
Education:
Ed.D., 2006, Educational Leadership, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio
M. Ed., 1996, Educational Administration, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio
B.S. in Ed., 1990, Elementary Education, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio

Professional University Positions:
2007 – Present: Part-Time Professor, Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education, Youngstown State University
2007 - 2008: Adjunct Professor, Department of Teacher Education, Notre Dame College, Cleveland, Ohio

Professional Education Positions:
Present: Superintendent, Trumbull County Educational Service Center, Niles, Ohio
2010 – 2025: Assistant Superintendent, Trumbull County Educational Service Center, Niles, Ohio
2008 – 2010 Director, Curriculum and Instruction, Niles City Schools, Niles, Ohio
2003 – 2008 Principal, Niles Middle School, Niles, Ohio
1998 – 2003 Principal, Edison Junior High School, Niles, Ohio
1996 – 1998 Assistant Principal, Edison Junior High School, Niles, Ohio
1992 – 1996 Classroom teacher, Niles City Schools, Niles, Ohio
1990 – 1992 Classroom teacher, Warren City Schools, Warren, Ohio

Military Service:
1985 - 1994 United States Air Force Reserves

Robert Marino Ed. D.

Email: rlmarino@ysu.edu

Office: Online

Office Phone: Online

Additional Contact Methods:
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out for clarification. I monitor my messages regularly and will generally reply within 24 hours.
Preferred Contact Methods: Blackboard Messenger, email, or a direct phone call.
Standard Availability: Monday through Friday, anytime after 4:00 PM.
By Appointment: If you need to speak outside of my standard availability, please send a message to schedule an appointment.

Communication Expectations:
As we navigate the coursework this semester, clear communication is essential. If you have any questions, concerns, or need clarification on the readings, Blackboard modules, or SL&L assignments, please feel free to reach out. I am here to help you succeed in this program and will generally reply to all questions within 24 hours.
(Please note: inquiries sent late on Friday or over the weekend may not receive a response until Monday morning.)

How to Refer to me:
Professor Marino

Instructor Image

Course Description

8125. Educational Politics and Policymaking in the United States. Reviews professional literature on politics and policy making at the local, state, and federal level, including the values, institutional actors, processes, and interest groups that shape educational policy. Explores means of identifying problems, analyzing policy alternatives, and measuring policy outcomes. Admission to the Ed.D program required. 3 s.h.

Course Readings

Group	Title	Author	ISBN
Required	Public policy: A concise introduction (3rd ed.)	Rinfret, S. R., Scheberle, D., & Pautz, M. C.	978-1-0719-6287-9

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.

Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

How to Succeed in This Course

Attendance Expectations

Late Work Submission Policy

Additional Course Expectations

Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

Assignments/Assessments

Grading and Grading Scale

University Policies

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of	Reading(s)	Proposed Topic	Due/To Prepare for Class
8/24	Module 1: Rinfret, S. R., Scheberle, D., & Pautz, M. C. (2027). Public policy: A concise introduction (3rd ed.). CQ Press. Chapter 1 & 2	Task 1: Effective Board Governance and Leadership (Paper) Task 2: Policy, Advocacy, and Engagement (Paper)	Task 1: Last day of Module 1. (100 points) Task 2: Last day of Module 1. (100 points)
8/31	Module 2: Rinfret, S. R., Scheberle, D., & Pautz, M. C. (2027). Public policy: A concise introduction (3rd ed.). CQ Press. Chapter 3 & 4	Task: Governance Systems and Policy Analysis (Paper)	Task due the last day of the module. (200 Points)
9/7	Module 3: Rinfret, S. R., Scheberle, D., & Pautz, M. C. (2027). Public policy: A concise introduction (3rd ed.). CQ Press. Chapter 5 & 6	Task 1: Federal Impact on Schools (Discussion Post) Task 2: Educational Advocacy (Interviews & Paper)	Task 1: Last day of Module 3. (100 points) Task 2: Last day of Module 3. (100 points)
9/14	Module 4: Rinfret, S. R., Scheberle, D., & Pautz, M. C. (2027). Public policy: A concise introduction (3rd ed.). CQ Press. Chapters 7 & 8	Task 1: Policy and Staffing (Discussion Post) Task 2: Policy and Public Meetings (Paper)	Task 1: Last day of Module 4. (100 Points) Task 2: Last day of Module 4. (150 Points)
9/21	Module 5: Rinfret, S. R., Scheberle, D., & Pautz, M. C. (2027). Public policy: A concise introduction (3rd ed.). CQ Press. Chapter 9	Task 1: Policy and Conflict (Paper) Task 2: Navigating Policy (Infographic)	Task 1: Last day of Module 5. (150 points) Task 2: Last day of Module 5. (100 points)
9/28	Module 6: Critical Task	Critical Task: Part 1 (Paper) Critical Task: Part 2 (Presentation)	Task 1: Last day of Module 6. (600 points) Task 2: Last day of Module 6. (150 points)
10/5	Module 7: Federal/State and Local Policies	Task 1: AI and Education (Discussion Post) Task 2: Comprehensive Practice Exam Task 3: Comprehensive Exam	Task 1: Last day of Module 7 (200 Points) Task 2: Last day of Module 7. (250 Points) Task 3: Comprehensive Exam (REQUIRED)

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.