"This dissertation seeks to understand the tensions for Michigan's affluent school districts during an era when the state government exerted an increasing level of control and influence over local district operations. The business community's perception of education policy and its role in policy creation is examined to better understand how the business community views public education in Michigan. Theoretical frameworks borrowed from political science are used to explain the education policy trends in Michigan since the early 1990s and to guide the dissertation's three main research questions which broadly seek to understand: 1) How do school district and business leaders in Michigan's affluent communities view education policy? 2) How do Michigan's state-level business organizations view education policy? 3) Who do school district and business leaders view as the main authors of education policy in Michigan? A qualitative study of local school district and business leaders, statewide business organizations, and members of the Michigan House of Representatives was conducted using surveys, interviews, and document analysis. The data gained from the study was interpreted using political science frameworks to construct a better understanding of education policy in Michigan and the role affluent districts and business organizations play in developing policy."--Page ii.
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