Ethnic towns in China are always special and important. Their rich natural and cultural resources and relatively poor conditions make their development different. This research constructs an integrated development model of town-industry-education (TIE) for ethnic towns in China. The case of Pengshui is presented to illustrate the details of this…

The possibility is examined that school choice programs could be a means to reducing the achievement gap. Data based on meta-analytic research and the examination of nationwide data sets suggest that school choice programs that include private schools could reduce the achievement gap by 25%. The propounding of this possibility is based on research…

Contrasts recommendations in recent reports by national commissions that American elementary and secondary education be improved and that the federal government take an active part with the Reagan administration's efforts to reduce the federal role. Briefly reviews articles in this volume on the pros and cons of federal involvement. (GC)

This paper discusses and analyzes the federal government's and the state's role in school desegregation and how state and federal policies interface on this subject. (AM)

Reviews the role of the federal government in the development of national school desegregation policy over the past 35 years. Concludes that desegregation requires active federal support, but desegregation effects are limited by political backlash and conflicting judicial interpretations. Suggests a future federal role. (FMW)

Politics of education in 1980s will be played out primarily at the state level. The task will be to maintain existing support levels, and advocates will have to provide hard evidence about the benefits of particular policy choices and about the larger social interests associated with public education. (CMG)

Proposes federal vocational education policies, emphasizing: (1) public education, business and labor cooperation; (2) educational needs of students; (3) joint school-employer instruction; (4) better local-level market information; (5) facilitation of youth school-work transition; (6) aid in occupational adjustment and aid for upgrading employer's…

Asserts that (1) the federal role should be limited when educational needs are already addressed by states; (2) federal programs should coincide with states' educational priorities; (3) federal involvement is justified when responding to an overriding national interest; (4) federal aid policy should allow states to set priorities; and (5) within…

Among the many questions raised by minimum competency testing is the question of responsibility for the initiation and financing of these tests and any necessary remediation. The federal role is, and should remain, merely one of providing financial assistance to states who insist on pursuing their own efforts in this area. (Author/RLV)

Discusses effects of federal educational funding on procedural changes, structural changes, personnel opportunities, and student access at local levels since 1965. Suggests that federal programs have had the most pervasive impact on minority group education and that impacts have been greater than the percentage of federal dollars allocated to…

Reviews statements of the Reagan administration's intent in educational policymaking. Examines significant federal educational policy and program events during 1981-82 and discusses the impact on future Federal policymaking in education. Suggests that progress in disassembling the federal educational role has established a new sense of direction…

Suggests that (1) the federal role in educational change is marginal and educational policies of the Reagan administration are ineffectual; and (2) while the rhetoric of Federal education policy might change, the policy itself is still governed by incrementalism and is unlikely to change in the near future. (Author/MJL)

Reviews the reasons for increasing the diversity of the teaching force, especially in urban schools. Introduces the articles of this special issue, which address the roles of federal, state, and local governments in increasing teacher diversity, discuss successful programs for increasing diversity, and describe the experiences and perspectives of…

Examined how six states provide educational services to students with special needs. Focuses on program models, requirements, financial support, and control mechanisms. Contrasts state approaches to the federal approach to providing services to similar populations. (GC)

Analyzes rationales for governmental intervention in child care and parent education. Considers response to social trends, enhancement of parental competence and child development, provision of support to families, equal opportunity for women, and community development as areas through which social goals may be achieved by incremental changes. (GC)