ABSTRACT
Anyone who creates, implements, or evaluates guidelines for how student learning can and should take place is working on education policy. The material predominantly focuses on government-created education policy, such as federal and state policies, but many of the "lessons learned" apply broadly to all types and levels of education policy. And at the local level, Gallagher mentions schools boards, superintendents, teachers, parent advocates, parent groups (PTO/PTA), and local gifted education advocacy groups. In addition, local business groups, the major employers in a district, and local civic groups can all play important roles in education policy. The development of any education policy is too complex, with too many moving parts, for a universally accurate description of the process. Unintended consequences are an especially big problem for gifted education, since the effects of a particular piece of legislation on gifted students are often an afterthought, if they cross the minds of policymakers at all.
