The ideas, suggestions, and personal beliefs presented here have been gleaned by the author over a long period of time from a wide range of experiences in the political and educational arenas. The writer wishes to make the political process more accessible to local and state principals' associations. (Editor)

Understanding the relationship between interest groups and legislators is one resource for effective use of influence. As major social welfare decisions are made in the political arena, social work must commit itself to understanding and influencing the political process. The article states generalizations based on political science literature.…

This pamphlet discusses one of the most essential but often misunderstood tasks facing nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations today: lobbying. It is addressed to Americans who volunteer their time and money to promote causes they believe will make this a better world. The pamphlet encourages citizens to lobby for two reasons. First, because virtually…

The Associated Press (AP) coverage of the United States senators in the 83rd, 89th, 91st, and 93rd Congresses was studied to determine the impact of various predictor variables. A path model of these variables was developed, reflecting implicit causal assumptions between visibility (press coverage) and such factors as the size of the senator's…

The power of the student vote in 91 Congressional districts where college enrollment exceeds the incumbent's margin of victory in the 1976 elections is presented. The article on student voters included in this report discusses voter registration rates among students, turnout of registered student voters, voting patterns of students, student voting…

Based on a questionnaire survey of 38 elementary-secondary and postsecondary lobbyists and 22 legislators conducted by the authors in Minnesota in 1978-80, this article examines the effectiveness of two fundamental lobbying strategies--cooperative strategy and advocacy strategy--in educational lobbyists' efforts to influence legislators. (JBM)

This paper chronicles the life of Democratic Congressman "Tip" O'Neill, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977-1986. O'Neill's life is recounted, including: (1) encountering the patronage practice in Boston politics; (2) experiences in the Massachusetts legislature; (3) work with the Kennedy brothers and Lyndon Johnson;…

Educational institutions should mount sophisticated lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, say three members of Congress (Senators Harrison Schmitt and Dennis DeConcini and Congressman Morris Udall). Lobbying in the legislative process, effective lobbyists, political action committees, and effective lobbying from nonprofit groups are discussed.…

Survey and observational research on educational lobbying organizations in the Pennsylvania state legislature yielded both data on influence processes and a set of seven guidelines for educational lobbyists. A survey of Pennsylvania legislators at the 1973-74 session examined their attitudes about education bills, educational lobbies and their…

This booklet offers techniques and insights to assist the lobbying efforts of Minnesota advocates of individuals with disabilities. It begins by explaining lobbying and the legislative process. Suggestions for effective meetings with legislators are provided, along with ways to get an author for proposed legislation. The following sections discuss…

The Arizona state legislature met from November 1979 to April 1980 for the sole purpose of restructuring and codifying rules that define school financial policy and reforming tax structures that support educational institutions. This case study investigated the role of special interest groups in shaping state educational policy at that session.…

This paper discusses the current attitude of Congress and the administration toward federal support of education and suggests what steps educators can take to encourage the enactment of desirable legislation. The author argues that it is both appropriate and necessary for professional educators to involve themselves in the political progress, and…

Senators of the Eighty-third Congress were studied to ascertain what factors were most highly correlated with press coverage for each individual senator. This information was then correlated with an earlier study of the Eighty-ninth, Ninety-first, and Ninety-third Congresses to see what differences might exist which could indicate the development…

This presentation is predicated on the belief that local school leaders must become more actively engaged in increasing effectiveness with state legislators. Political activity cannot be left to state educational associations, rather, school administrators must assume a continuous, active role in the political process without becoming partisan.…

Characteristics of state coordinating boards or governing boards are briefly outlined, and the nature and character of political relationship of the board with other agencies are examined. The board is characterized by its limited powers, its nonpolitical base, and its restricted clientele. In dealing with the executive agency, it is important to…