Highlights the issues to be dealt with during the 96th Congress including the establishment of a Department of Education, reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and related programs, and funding for fiscal 1980 and 1981. (JMF)

The shift in domestic politics away from federal prescriptions is unlikely to have an immediate, radical influence on education policies. The shift is not so much a diminution of the federal role in education as it is a recognition of constraints on the power and influence of federal policy. (DS)

Nearly all educational programs which receive federal funding are vulnerable to budget cuts. Educators need to view budget reductions in terms of economic priorities. Education must be seen as part of the economic productivity, social fabric, and security of the nation. (JN)

An evaluation is given of the performance of the 96th Congress on child-related federal programs. (JD)

This article examines federal policy in the context of professional development and in-service education for school personnel. (MM)

Summarizes current congressional action affecting educational research and related activities, including appropriations, the Higher Education Act reauthorization, a new research and technology act, and legislation regarding educational testing, youth unemployment and training, paperwork and red tape reduction, and research privacy. (GC)

Demands for immediate answers to education's problems affect federal support for needed long-term educational research programs. The National Institute of Education has made significant progress toward establishing valid research methods and a solid foundation for future research efforts, though restricted in its activities and denied due credit.…

Research and legal issues that relate to accreditation policy questions for schools, colleges, and departments of education are reviewed, and strategies for integrating empirical information and social/professional values are presented. The discussion divides into three sections: (1) information concerning a variety of contextual issues that…

The evolution of congressional support for educational programs and the impact of the present trend toward financial restraint are reviewed. Research, evaluation, and policy studies will help influence future decisions, although other factors such as the economy and interest group pressures will affect support. (MH)

An overview of options available for Federal cooperation in the improvement of teacher education considers possible areas in which government support may be effective. These include: (1) recruitment of talented students; (2) financial support for prospective teachers; (3) improvement grants to schools of education; (4) grants supporting…