The purpose of this research was to determine if the media set personal agendas during off-year elections. The market for the study was a twin-city area in central Illinois (Bloomington-Normal) which contained few sources of information concerning local, national, and international problems. The survey questionnaire was compiled from questions…

This paper examines the political behavior of local school boards in terms of two models of political governance. The first model discussed is the "sacred vs. secular" model that distinguishes between "sacred" governing bodies that reach consensus in private and generally support the sociocultural status quo and…

The political nature of educational governance has been established in other papers dealing with school board elections in states not having partisan election of school board members. The research reported in this paper was conducted in Pennsylvania, a state in which candidates for the school board must declare their party and run on a partisan…

The Watergate scandal has profoundly shaken the confidence of the American people in their government. One aspect of Watergate which can be immediately corrected is that of secrecy. In the abolition of secrecy and the defense of intellectual freedom, librarians have a role to play. American librarianship has taken upon itself the task of providing…

The research on intercultural communication design illustrates that definitions of propaganda and agitation can be altered if there is a change from an open to a closed culture, or vice versa. Russia and East Germany serve as examples of closed cultures, and the United States is employed on a comparative basis as an open culture. To enhance open…

Describes dividing up the responsibilities of the department chairperson among senior members of the department, then reconsiders the profession and the state of the humanities. Discusses views advocating "excellence," cultural literacy, great books, and a core curriculum in the humanities. Identifies political tasks and continued…

This study examined how community organizations can use research to identify community education interests and to influence school systems to serve those interests. A case study of the Southeast Education Task Force in Baltimore, Maryland, analyzed the organization's efforts to develop a school facility plan and to persuade the school system to…

When the drive to develop and administer tests comes from a public call for accountability in a profession, from the government's response to this call, or from politicians attempting to identify a hot issue, it may be said that the test must first have political validity in order to be implemented. Only after this political validity has been…

The experience of Maryland in implementing large scale assessment in the context of school reform is explored. The ways in which the state Department of Education has worked with divergent groups to build a continuing and strong school reform program are discussed. In 1987 Maryland's governor created a Commission on School Performance. This was…

This study examined Alabama and Tennessee state education report card data for 1998 through 2003. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there were measurable differences in reported accountability indicators between districts that elected and those that appointed superintendents. The study also examined trends in attrition and hiring…

In a crisis, excellence of programs, students, staff, and the institution will not ensure survival. Long-term planning for excellence takes a back seat to institutional survival. Sturt College of Advanced Education's experiences show that institutional diversity and an administration that can act on opportunity can be valuable assets. (MSE)

The history of evaluation utilization in policy making and political features of program evaluation are discussed. A five-part continuum describes the evaluation process. Evaluation practice modifications contribute to real growth in evaluation use in congressional policy making as evaluation research improves the quality of information available…

The modern-day lobbyist is uniquely qualified to provide lawmakers with information that would take an overworked staff countless hours to obtain; hence, the relationship of lobbyist and lawmaker has evolved into a network of accommodation and mutual assistance. Consistent with persuasion theory that recognizes the limitations of discourse,…

This examination of the international state of giftedness research outlines two competitive paradigms (the psychometric paradigm and the paradigm of cognitive science) and argues that the paradigms should be regarded as complementary. The neglect of social psychology in the conceptualization of giftedness is decried, and applied and basic research…

This futurist keynote speech of the National Conference for Outdoor Leaders addresses the social, technological, economic, and political forces that are restructuring the world. The concept of geostrategic thinking has the components of global thinking, futuristic thinking, and seeking opportunities. Important developments include: (1) wealth will…