This research report describes an analysis of the ways state legislative policy makers in Arizona, California, and Oregon engage in the process of turning political interests and pressures into public policies. The purpose is to provide insights into the overall processes of social science utilization within state legislatures, using a behavioral…

The role of research and information in legislative decisionmaking is discussed. It is suggested that planning is of marginal utility to state legislatures. The primary obstacles to planning in the legislative arena are the turnover among state legislators, internal shifts of power, and the legislative tendency to deal with discrete policy issues…

The progressively greater institutional commitment to the development and continuing support of new and innovative educational programs is demonstrated. Data were gathered from each institution (University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington State College, Central Washington State College, Eastern Washington State…

The report summarizes the activities of a seminar designed and conducted by the Career Education Policy Project (CEPP) of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) and attended by 27 career educators. The seminar provided an insight into lobbying for education, with bureaucrats, congressional members and staff aides, lobbyists, education…

The purpose of federal support for the general educational goals of higher education is examined in this testimony. Such support for higher education currently amounts to $3.4 billion, exclusive of research and veterans educational benefits under the GI bill. Two roles are identified for federal support of higher education: (1) the role of…

Communication between Congressmen and their constituents could be improved by the use of advanced telecommunications. Interviews with representatives and senior staff from a sample of 40 House offices show concern that the current communication systems are either too narrow--letters, telephone calls, physical conferences--or too broad--television,…

This report of the Special Senate Committee To Study the Training of Michigan Teachers is composed of selected excerpts from the testimony, categorized into areas of special concern, which point out current problems and raise possible future solutions for each of the areas. The document is divided into 11 chapters: (a) History of the Special…

This booklet is one of a series of reports addressing the most critical issues confronting state boards of education throughout the United States. Each report attempts to present a concise, informative review and analysis of the best and most current information available on one of these critical topics. This booklet focuses on improving…

Some of the issues and trends that have concerned higher education officials and lawmakers in state legislatures are discussed, including prepaid tuition plans, taxes, financial aid for students, pressure from business leaders, governors' clout, quality, college closings, etc. (MLW)

Description of a course involving students in the Michigan state political process. The students investigated a legislative bill intended to reduce throwaway drink containers by summarizing relevant literature, conducting consumer surveys, and performing self-initiated projects. Journal available from Faculty of Modern Studies, Oxford Polytechnic,…

Profiles Congressman Chaka Fattah, a Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) native developing federal legislation designed to motivate low-income students to complete secondary education so they qualify for aid for higher education and to improve these students' access to support programs. Outlines the legislator's background, political career, and work at…

A Michigan State senator discusses institutional relationships with the state legislature and communication problems between institution and government that interfere with policy and budgeting processes. (MSE)

According to members of Congress, college chief executive officers possess an enormous amount of prestige and clout they could utilize to get what they need from lawmakers--be it dollars, new programs, or legislative support. This year's concerns include access, college costs, and research funding. (MLW)

The focus is on partitioning the evaluation of the consequences of assessment programs among the sponsors, developers, users, and reviewers of tests. Five parties that share responsibility are discussed: (1) the state legislature, (2) the state board of education, (3) the school district, (4) the test publisher, and (5) the measurement profession.…

On March 29, 2007, the Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled, "How NCLB Affects Students with Disabilities." Specifically, this hearing was held to determine how the No Child Left Behind Act helps, hurts, or keeps about the same, what has been done for children with disabilities. The…