In this commentary on the "Peabody Journal of Education" special edition, the author addresses implications of the contributing articles to three central domains of interest to states engaged in or considering the development of an alternate assessment on modified academic achievement standards: (a) identifying an eligible student population, (b)…

Biotechnology, usually commercialized in collaboration with the private sector, has been among the most fruitful university-based research endeavors, for the public as well as universities. Biological medications have made possible crucial advances in the treatment of life-threatening illnesses and yielded significant royalty streams for the…

The adoption of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Education for All Handicapped Children's Act, now the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), have had a major impact on the delivery of services for children with special needs. In light of the legal issues surrounding the delivery of special education…

In the past few decades, with the explosion of biotechnology and the aging of the population, the use of human subjects in research has increased significantly. The United States has done much to protect human research subjects, and no one can deny the importance of keeping them safe. But at the same time, researchers whose work poses no threat to…

When Congress passed the GI Bill, it linked the accreditation process with the distribution of federal funds. As Congress saw it, accreditation would ensure accountability without subjecting institutions to harmful external controls. While accreditation began as a voluntary system, it has now become virtually mandatory. Policymakers and trustees…

Federal policy directed to teaching and teachers is the subject of this review, which is organized around: (1) recruitment; (2) training; (3) accountability; (4) incentives; (5) qualifications; (6) class size reduction; (teacher working conditions; and (8) human resource management and the overall coordination of teacher policy. For each theme,…

This article presents an interview with Jim Olson, a retired auto industry executive, about his experience with his company's hiring process. The responsibility for establishing and implementing procedures and policies that adhere to government regulations is critical. It makes sense for employers and potential employees to understand laws…

The Reagan administration has taken numerous regulatory actions which are flatly inconsistent with the President's stated political philosophy. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Food and Drug Administration in areas concerning abortion, generic drugs, the denial of information, and medical devices. (RM)

Describes secret warranties by which manufacturers--usually automobile--provide repairs without charge when defects turn up after the warranty has expired. Suggests that secret warranties should be regulated so that all consumers can take advantage of them. (JOW)

In this article we describe how the Bush administration has used deceptive techniques and subterfuge to force its ideology upon the American people. We provide examples of similar techniques used to manipulate public opinion and national policy in three broad areas: national defense, science, and education. Our example from national defense…

Summarizes information on proprietary aspects of abstracts prepared by Proprietary Rights Committee of Information Industry Association and Copyright Committee of National Federation of Abstracting and Indexing Societies. A definition of abstracts, legal issues, United States copyright law, derivative works, ownership of copyrights, fair use, and…

Describes the catastrophic effects of recent record high interest rates on the American economy. The article proposes putting a low ceiling on interest rates to reestablish economic stability. (AM)

Discusses the story of TRIS-treated sleepwear, which is an example of the multiplicity of costs that consumers may be obliged to pay when federal agencies establish regulations and standards without stringent measures to test the effects. (Author)

This article is based on the premise that most consumers want consumer protection and when they understand the work of government as a protector/regulator, consider it necessary. (Author)

Lists federal regulations that affect the personnel function and outlines regulations that may be coming in the future. Urges personnel professionals to draft meaningful pieces of legislation that are responsive both to individual rights and to the shareholder's profit motive. (IRT)