The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and their associated high-stakes testing are key parts of the federal Race to the Top (RTTT) initiative. There has been considerable resistance to both CCSS and related testing, particularly from conservative actors. This resistance suggests that CCSS has caused substantial tension within the conservative…

Since 1990, the Zimbabwe government has struggled with the devastating effects of HIV-Aids pandemic. By cooperating with the US government and world non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as the United States AID (USAID), United Nations Aids Fund (UNAIDS), United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), Families with Aids Care Trust (Fact) and faith…

This study focused on the federal and Illinois State the reform legislation titled the Performance Evaluation Reform Act and Senate Bill 7. The Performance Evaluation Reform Act or "PERA" was created from collaboration between stakeholders as Illinois competed in a federal competition titled "Race to the Top." The legislation…

U.S. educators and policymakers are concerned about the poor performance of the public schools, particularly schools that serve students from low-income families. Although education is primarily a state function, the federal government also has a longstanding interest in improving education for disadvantaged students, and it targets funding to…

This chapter first examines how the Obama administration was able to promote its K-12 agenda using the vehicle of economic stimulus policy, and how that agenda compares with prior federal and state education policy. As a basis for explaining President Obama's policy choices, a second section discusses the ideas and political dynamics shaping his…

Describes Australia's retirement income arrangements, including age pension, private pensions, changes in provisions by the federal government, and factors that shaped changes. Notes that difficulties experienced by the government in introducing changes underscore political sensitivity of retirement income policy in Australia. (Author/NB)

The commitment on the part of the national government to provide some assistance to the elderly began in the 1930s, but in the last decade or so, this commitment has substantially increased. (Author/AM)

Battles over education during past four years have shown that Congress and President must achieve some level of agreement to accomplish anything and that adequate funding must be provided to back up any legislated policy change. President Clinton should write coherent action plan to initiate national apprenticeship program, align existing federal…

Discusses the history of the President's Committee on Health Education, created by R. M. Nixon in September 1971, and analyzes the committee's origins, methods, and underlying politics that shaped its work and final report. The committee laid the groundwork for present-day health-promotion and disease-prevention public policies. (RLC)

In an analysis of the National Endowment for the Arts, which represents the national government's direct involvement in support of the arts, the author considers that agency's impact, its policy changes, its funding priorities, and its politicization since 1965. (SJL)

In examining the book "The Changing Politics of Education," the author attacks neo-conservative revisionism that claims that the goals of national policy are either impossible to achieve or undesirable because they frustrate popular will. (Author/IRT)

Focusing specifically on the two largest federal education programs, Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142), this study analyzes how states implement federal and state education programs. The book is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 offers background on federal-state…

Analyzes the recent role of the Federal Government in public education in view of the reported rural bias of the Congress and the urban bias of the Executive. (JM)

President Bush's proposed budget would boost total education spending next year from $39.9 billion to $44.5 billion-a far cry from the $95 billion proposed by a coalition of education groups, including the National School Boards Association. NSBA also opposes Bush's emphasis on block grants, school sanctions, and vouchers. (MLH)

The paper outlines the educational objectives of a course offered at the 1982 meeting of the American Academy on Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. The course addresses policy changes and trends in publically financed services to developmentally disabled persons. Topics covered in the outline are a continuum of care; historical…