Many states are looking at effective ways to use financial incentives to encourage students to complete a postsecondary credential. JFF's new report, "Statewide Aid Policies to Improve College Access and Success", originally commissioned by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education's Vision Project, has provided valuable…

Access to English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses is crucial for society, social cohesion and the economy. In 2006 it was estimated that 600,000 people in London alone had an ESOL need. In some parts of the country, as many as 50 per cent of adults have Entry-level ESOL needs. ESOL is no longer an issue only for urban areas. People…

The training received by workers depends predominantly on the organisational choices and funds allocated by businesses. It is therefore justifiable to ask whether public policy should either endorse the spontaneous distribution of training or take measures to correct it. This paper analyses the motivations and limitations of public intervention,…

The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 was premised upon a fundamental but doubtful analogy between race discrimination and age discrimination. The law is thus inconsistent, confusing, divisive, and poses practical problems regarding interpretation, enforcement, and resource allocation. (Author/GC)

The traditional view that an activity's comparative impact on collective welfare ought to guide resource allocation is refuted. A paradigm of a multisystem society with the non-fungibility of investment resources an essential issue in project appraisal is presented. (SLD)

Synthesizes and briefly reviews articles in this issue. Focuses on the "policy arena" (defined as a political culture, a set of interrelated public programs, and a network of political organizations) as it relates to early childhood education and the allocation of resources to children of all ages. (GC)

Reviews prior research on homelessness and describes what remains to be done. Calls for greater attention to the socioeconomic causes of homelessness, its image in the media, and public attitudes toward the problem. (DM)

The history of the debate over federal efforts to reduce indirect cost recovery in federal research grants to universities is outlined and discussed by a former university administrator involved in the policy's formation. (MSE)

New initiatives, administrative changes, and funding levels are discussed in this position paper. Among the recommendations are: better implementation of existing policies; better utilization of existing funds; improved targeting of funds; additional public service employment funding; revenue sharing reforms; and improved housing and community…

This excerpt from a position paper prepared by the National Urban League contains recommendations which correspond to the nine policies and initiatives contained in the second version of the President's National Urban Policy report. (RLV)

Notes that the burden of budget reductions enacted by the 104th Congress have fallen disproportionately on programs for low-income families and individuals. Suggests that middle class entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare, which comprise more than half of the federal budget, would be a more prudent area in which to reduce spending.…

The author takes the position that federal support for basic research should be increased. The suggestion is made that the National Institute of Education sponsor a mapping of fields of inquiry in education and endeavor to bring patterns of support in line with ongoing inquiry in education. Increased support for new research and new researchers in…

This paper assesses the rationale for legislated program consolidation, summarizing problems with the current structure of categorical programs and arguments for reform through consolidation, reviewing past consolidation proposals, discussing the likely effects of such proposals, analyzing the state, local, and federal responses that can be…

Policymakers often use Rate of Return information in formulating public resource allocation decisions. The World Bank uses this strategy to advise developing nations in setting student subsidy levels, tuition, and allocation by educational level. However, Rate of Return may be an inappropriate policy device for these objectives. (Author/MSE)

Lessons learned from experience about shaping science policy include (1) the partnership between health and science interests is fundamental; (2) research fund allocation should be based on scientific merit; (3) better data and careful analysis are vital to decision making; and (4) policy principles should be clear and concise. (Author/MSE)