This document, prepared for the use of the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives, focuses on general provisions for education, beginning with the full text of the Department of Education Organization Act of 1979. This is followed by antecedent legislation, including the General Education Provisions Act; the Inspector…

Historical perspectives on federal regulations are examined since 1958 along with five dilemmas that cause universities to improve university operations by reforms in current federal regulations. The National Defense Education Act of 1958 and the Higher Education Act (NDEA) of 1965 are often identified as two of the major milestones in the…

The American economy faces many problems today--declining productivity, the major one. A major cause of America's economic downturn has been excessive government intervention in the economy, along with excessive government spending and taxation. President Reagan's economic programs promise an assault on this excessive regulation, as well as…

A guide, designed especially for non-American educators, presents information to promote understanding of the U.S. policy-making process in higher education. Levels for policy analysis concern individuals, institutions, groups of institutions, state and local levels, national level, transnational level, and comparison of countries. Representative…

Historical notes on national interest in the problem of educational inequality as well as a tracing of the initially gradual and then intensified Federal involvement with equal educational opportunity comprise the focus of this paper. The concept and various definitions of equal educational opportunity are also discussed. Section headings include:…

Noting the importance of cultural diversity in American society and of the role of bilingual-bicultural education in maintaining such diversity, this paper discusses the commitment of the Federal government to quality and equality in education as related to linguistic minorities. Legislation such as the Bilingual Education Act and the Lau vs.…

Action must be taken to eliminate sex-role stereotyping. Elementary school textbooks are tracking children into narrowly defined sex roles which are demeaning to girls and detrimental to both girls and boys. The first step is to research the material currently in use in order to collect specific illustrations with which to arm oneself. The next…

The United States Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is 30 years of age. IDEA affords individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities (through age 21) a free appropriate public education, an individualized education plan, and many accommodations in an attempt to include those with disabilities in the educational experience.…

The school choice movement is gaining ground. Currently, 37 states and the District of Columbia have enacted charter school or voucher legislation. Public approval of school choice continues to grow, with approximately half of the respondents in a 2000 nationwide poll favoring vouchers for private and religious schools. A survey conducted for the…

Most educational institutions must meet strict legal requirements when considering race in admissions, financial aid, student assignment, and other policy decisions. Based on U.S. Supreme Court rulings, both the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI require that race-conscious policies be subject to "strict scrutiny." A court evaluates…

Salient trends and developments in national education politics and policy are identified. An historical perspective on federal government priorities in education is provided along with implications of recent developments for education politics. (CJ)

Recommendations by the American Council on Education for priorities in federal legislation are made concerning student aid, institutional and program aid, research support, armed forces, tax credits and incentives, medical services, social reforms, employment and handicapped policies, truth-in-testing, regulatory reform, and equal education. (MSE)

A study explored the grassroots membership advocacy on national policy and federal legislative issues of national education associations located in Washington, D.C. Persons were interviewed at six associations: National University Continuing Education Association, American Psychological Association, American Council on Education, American…

Testimony and proceedings of a hearing on the School District Consolidation Amendments of 1985 are presented in this document. The proposed bill would restrict the ability of Federal district courts to order remedies involving the consolidation of school districts in school desegregation cases. The following are included: (1) a statement in…

This yearbook contains information on federal policy actions, state policy, important reports, statistical data on exceptional students served and personnel employed; and directory listings of key offices, officials, and organizations concerned with special education. Generally, the yearbook covers reports issued from July 1987 through June 1988.…