Book excerpt: Essentials of Education Policy improves students’ and educational leaders’ understanding of the complex education policy system in the U.S. Through an applied pedagogical approach that connects analytical concepts from public policy and education research to professional practice, the book offers academic content and applications for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education leaders. Grounded in pillars of policy studies – educational foundations, governance structures and policy subsystems, the policy process, and specific policy issues – the book provides educational leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve fundamental inequities in American education and empowers them to become change agents. This engaging textbook will be essential reading for students and scholars in Education Policy, Leadership, and Educational Foundations, as well as for educational leaders.