In recent years, a new breed of political organizations has had remarkable influence in American educational policymaking. Proponents of neoliberal reform, these groups have been labeled as Education Reform Advocacy Organizations, or ERAOs. I situate these organizations within the larger network of Intermediary Organizations (IOs). To understand…

This article explores the strategies think tanks (TTs) from Brussels, London, Paris and Ljubljana use to exert influence on European Union (EU) policy-making. The paper argues that European TTs mobilise symbolic, political and network forms of capital built at the European level to enhance their legitimacy, credibility and visibility in the…

The traditional delivery system for public K-12 education in the U.S. is being disrupted by forces from without (e.g., forms of competition, including charter schools) and from within (e.g., new regulatory requirements, including meaningful teacher evaluation and the Common Core). As in any sizable sector of the economy, challenges to the status…

Recommending that cooperative extension services employ lobbyists to represent their interests in Congress, the author defines lobbying, describes the techniques and tactics involved, and identifies studies of the effectiveness of lobbyists. (SK)

Explores the political influence of 100 organized agriculture and rural interests, as perceived by 195 Congressional staff, lobbyists, and organization officials. Finds that organizational influence is related to high activity and policy involvement within the Congressional agricultural establishment and to perceived usefulness to the policy…

At least two dozen political action committees in six states (Alabama, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Texas, Washington) accept donations and contribute to legislators on behalf of diverse colleges and universities. Defenders say the political committees help keep the institutions' allies in office and protect access to them. Critics feel public…

Five approaches, designed by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), help educational administrators gain access to the educational policy-making process. They include a year-long fellowship program, the Educational Policy Fellowship Program, for midcareer administrators to learn about policy-making at the federal, state, and local levels;…

Constituents, seen as only average information sources, are the primary influence on both state and federal legislators. If principals worked with superintendents (as community leaders) and school board members (as highly regarded local officials), educator teams could significantly shape state and national educational policy. (MLH)

This document includes five reports originally presented at two meetings of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) held respecively in 1985 and 1987. In "Public Policy on LIbraries," Hector Wynter, a member of the Jamaican Parliament, describes the role of the legislator in the development of libraries in Jamaica.…

This guide is intended to help people in the nursing profession, especially deans at schools of nursing, to effectively influence public policy at the federal level. Introductory material identifies key Senate and House committees and stresses the importance of establishing and maintaining a relationship with one's representatives in the Congress.…

Delineates components of federal legislation advocacy using the activities of the Children's Defense Fund as examples. Reviews seven aspects of the traditional role of the legislative advocate. Reveals that congressional budget procedures adopted in 1974 complicated this role. Considers several pitfalls of the new budget process. Provides a…

Efforts of educational interest groups to defeat merit pay for Pennsylvania teachers during 1983-1986 are explored in this case study. Political systems theory and allocative theory provide the conceptual framework. Deutsch's (1973) outline of variables that affect the course of conflict was used to organize indepth personal interviews and a…

Up until now Hispanics have not gotten involved in the policy analysis field. By learning to specifically assess the actual or potential impact of alternate policies or programs, it will be possible to help decision makers adopt policies which are more equitable to Hispanics. The following steps may help an individual carry out policy analysis:…

Examines four simulation games used in higher education to teach the role of elections in promoting governmental responsibility, the effects of imperfect accountability on governmental policy, and ways to make governments more accountable. These games simulate interest group lobbying, political party formation, bureaucratic policy making, and…

Examines the sociopolitical circumstances surrounding the formulation, passage in Congress, and presidential veto of the Comprehensive Child Development Act of 1971 (S.1512). Argues that policy is often influenced by several issues that motivate political action; in the case of child care legislation, children are only one factor among many.…