Education policy analyst Barbara Bales gives us an overview of where educational policy intersects with classroom practice. Bales is an assistant professor at the UWM School of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She is also a former middle-level teacher. Her research focuses on teacher education, teacher preparation, and the tug-of-war between local, state and national education policy. She spoke with Stephanie Lecci for our "Project Milwaukee: Barriers to Achievement in MPS" series.