Defines the policy context within which decisions about energy conservation are currently made. Describes how conservation fits into national energy policy. Discusses the political, economic, institutional, social, and psychological barriers to efforts for easing energy problems. (Author/MK)

Examines what can and should be done to clarify and/or resolve scientific conflicts with policy implications. Includes a typology for classifying controversies, mechanisms, and objectives with regard to scientific disputes with policy implications. This apparatus aims to show the differences in disputes and in approaches to deal with them. (JN)

Discusses two views of the relationship between technical issues and policy decisions. Also discusses the "burden-of-proof" issue, distributional issues, and issues related to public participation and decision making. Indicates a need for greater introspection into nontechnical values and preferences affecting the selection of evidence and its…

A year after the accident at Three Mile Island (TMI), the signals transmitted to the public are still confused. Industry says that nuclear power is safe and that the aftermath of TMI ushers in a new era of safety. Antinuclear activists say TMI sounded nuclear power's death knell. (Author/RE)

A new wave of progressive thought and action can be identified in groups such as the Montana Alliance for Progressive Policy (MAPP). Old political dichotomies are shunned to form new ideologies stressing: (1) public policies to ensure a better future; (2) security from disasters; (3) stewardship to promote balance and harmony; and (4) expanded…

Reviews psychological evidence regarding minors' competence to consent to abortion. Covers the following topics: (1) the source and nature of advice regarding the abortion decision; (2) conformity to peer and parent advice; (3) the developmental tasks of adolescence; and (4) reasoning skills. (Author/LHW)

The thesis of this article is that evaluation research on the effects of population education to date has been stalled by confusion manifested in the population education literature. This confusion is evident in two areas: (1) what population education is and (2) what it is supposed to do. (RE)

This paper explores the relationship between sociology and forestry. It discusses the current state of pooled sociology/forestry knowledge and concludes that little has been published addressing issues of mutual benefit to the two disciplines. Research needs of potential mutual interest to the two disciplines are also discussed. The paper…

Vermont experienced a rapid expansion of federal childhood funding and programs (accompanied by their voluminous and sometimes contradictory regulations), and identified the need to unify the system after recognizing that the complexity of the early childhood education service delivery system was bewildering for parent-consumers. This report…

This report examines how students, especially those with high abilities, choose a college based on information from four areas: (1) published research comparing various schools' subjects as well as some unpublished comparative data from various sources; (2) young adult fiction that deals with issues related to college choice; (3) media accounts of…

Discusses school choice policy itself, the debate between proponents and opponents, and the range of possible school choice programs. Addresses the roles of federal and state governments, the courts, and school administrators in school choice plans. Presents recommendations for achieving an educational environment that engages the minds of all…