Policy formulation and decision making in the ACT technical and further education system

Abstract

This study attempts to trace the locus of responsibility for the decision making associated with policy determination in the Australian Capital Territory further education system. Generally the study is restricted to the decade of the Seventies, during which period the administrative organisation of the system moved from the large, centralised New South Wales State technical education system to a small, regional system with local control. In chronological sequence this field study considers the content and effect of a number of reports, files and papers generated during this period under study, and shows the nature of influences on the emergence and structure of the A.C.T. further education system. In particular, the shift of responsibility for policy determination, and executive management of the system, is followed through as a function of the recommendations contained in the various documents considered. By tracing the movement of executive responsibility through the early years of operation of the A.C.T. further education system it is possible to detect the focus of power and influence within and imposed upon the system, and to consider the decision-making strategies adopted in the determination of policy. From these it is possible to extrapolate and assess, to some extent, the stage of evolution which has been reached and possible directions in which "natural selection" factors may influence further developments. This field study should provide a first step, at least, toward the association and amalgamation of many documents which have (or should have) significantly influenced the nature of the present A.C.T. further education system. The study concludes with some discussion of current issues and suggestions for further (related) research.

Date of Award	1982
Original language	English