Outlines the five policy imperatives of the Reagan administration for education--diminution, deregulation, decentralization, disestablishment, and deemphasis. The authors predict that education will continue to decline in importance on the national political agenda. (Author/WD)

National-level educational policy is being rapidly decentralized, according to this article, which offers a historical framework for understanding the new era in national education politics. The author analyzes implications of the changes taking place and discusses options open to proponents of a vigorous federal role in education. (Author/WD)

Responding to an article from the April 1987 Phi Delta Kappan criticizing Chapter 1 structures, the author points out that radical changes will not improve the program, instead a broader "systems approach" for interpreting rules governing such programs is needed. (MD)

Argues that the primary difference between the federal role in education of the Reagan administration and that of its predecessors is one of form and of funding. Suggests that the federal presence in education will continue and that educators, as advocates, can influence the future. (Author/WD)

Sustaining the educational reform movement will involve an estimated 20 percent increase in funding for education. Since such increases are unlikely, the evaluation of existing reform is urgent. Includes a list of seven levels of evaluation appropriate for state reform bills. (MD)

Schools play too many roles; their fundamental purpose is teaching basic skills, computer literacy, sciences, languages, and civics. This report acknowledges the importance of state and local control, but argues that only the federal government can pursue the national interest in having quality schools, equality of access, and quality control. (PB)

Argues that the Reagan administration is dismantling the educational efforts of the past 50 years, which could result in chaos. Suggests that state departments are incapable of exercising leadership in the absence of a federal role. Predicts the abandonment of educational research and special concerns and the demise of equality. (Author/WD)

Periods of scarcity, such as the one we are now experiencing, make the need for less federal regulation more urgent. Indeed, the combination of scarcity and President Reagan's New Federalism are going to force deregulation on U.S. schools. (Author/JM)

Informational, diagnostic, prescriptive functions of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are best served by governance structure composed of federal, state, and local members and a standing technical advisory board. Structure protects NAEP from undue federal influence and special interest groups, builds bridges to educators and…

Terrel Bell, U.S. Secretary of Education during four years of the Reagan Administration, describes the political forces under which he ran the Department of Education. He points out that education passed through two difficult years during Reagan's first term, but that education fared better at the federal level after the release of "A Nation…

Reports the full results of the 1982 Gallup Poll of the public's attitude toward education. Topics covered include major problems confronting the schools, rating of the schools, federal funds, budget cutting, curriculum changes, special education, and federal control. (JM)