All states value their distinct approaches to policy and to life and the U.S. Constitution embeds the idea of state rights and responsibilities as a core principle in the federal system. California arguably takes this further than most. This paper provides a new way to think about how national policies might complicate or augment the next state…

This congressional hearing, held at the Santa Fe (New Mexico) Indian School, addressed issues relating to the quality of education for American Indians. A central issue was a proposal transferring management of Indian schools from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to tribes or local governments. Statements from federal and local authorities…

Jonathan Kozol challenges politicians of both parties to confront the economic and political issues that deprive the poor of equal education. Criticisms of current policies include the following: (1) dependence on property taxes penalizes the poor; (2) local control protects privilege and oppresses minorities; (3) education has been removed from…

The American Indian Policy Review Commission met on November 19, 1976, and began the session with a recital of broad goals developed by the staff from recommendations received from the task forces. Goals were stated as follows: reaffirming the commitment on tribal sovereignty and strengthening of tribal governments; affirming the permanency of…

The 1996 welfare reform law--the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act--has contradictory aspects. It gives the states greatly increased fiscal flexibility and at the same time sets extensive and elaborate new behavioral requirements. The dynamics of welfare since the passage of the Social Security Act in 1935 have been…

These meetings of the American Indian Policy Review Commission were concerned with the markup of various sections of the final report, some sections having to do with Indian law, Indian history, Indian education, Alaska Natives, and funding of Indian programs. On February 25, there was a discussion of education recommendations including one on the…