Because most decisions on the basic requirements in public school curricula and on the funding required to implement them are made at the state level, it is proposed that the major U.S. geographical organizations join in a vigorous campaign to promote the establishment of strong state and metropolitan societies. (RM)

Demography, economics, concentrated decision making, and politicization, will constitute the future policymaking environment for education. In addition, these conditions are likely to have a direct effect upon educators themselves; they will provoke higher levels of conflict within and among education organizations. (Author/BW)

This comparison of antipoverty strategies in Britain (Urban Programme) and the United States (War on Poverty) highlights their similar conceptions of the nature of the problem, differences in approach and implementation, and the contrasting political cultures of American community activism and British socialism. (SK)

Examines the Depression era Townsend Movement that pressed for old age pensions. Compares this movement with a model social movement to explore what facilitates the development of movements and what determines their success or failure. Concludes that the political mediation model explains successes as reinforced political action with strong member…

Discusses three essential differences between playing the planning game at the national and at the local level. These involve financial constraints, a concern for manpower development, and the distance between the planner and the public. (Author/WM)

The paper traces the life of the 18th century North Carolinian planter Willie Jones and his transformed political stance from traditional commitment to the Crown to a new constitutional faith in republicanism. Jones' political career and struggles are noted through the Revolutionary era and the controversy of centralized versus decentralized…

This is an address by Vernon Jordan, Jr., executive director of the National Urban League. Mr. Jordan notes that for the first time in many years there is a spirit of hope and self-confidence in the black community because of the newly elected national administration. However, the new administration must be sensitive to educational issues…

A study was undertaken to explore the power structure in a Southwestern community of 93,000 and to determine which elements in that power structure had the most influence in a local school bond referendum. The data for the study were collected using two techniques. First, a panel of knowledgeable community members identified 85 politically…

While students have become more sophisticated in their modes of political influence, their interests since 1970 have become delimited to concerns that affect their lives the most--the cost of their education. They also remain concerned about issues of freedom and participation in campus decision making. While these newly emerging sources of…

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.…

The purpose of this presentation is to describe and analyze one instance of educational policy making at the State level. Specifically, the discussion focuses on the proposal, passage, and implementation of a legislatively mandated program for the Statewide assessment of education in Michigan. The analytical framework utilized in the analysis…

This report discusses theories about and studies on the relationship between school districts and community power structures. It offers practical techniques for decisionmakers to use in dealing with such power structures. Various participants and influentials in the community power structure are identified and discussed. Two major power typologies…

Compares the environmental rhetoric of former U.S. Interior Secretary James Watt and U.S. President Ronald Reagan, explaining that Watt's political value outweighed his political liability. Notes that cabinet members extend a President's influence by reaching issue-specific audiences while maintaining philosophical consistency, and serve as…

Both university trustees and presidents can be effective advocates for the institutions they represent when they are integrated into a carefully conceived and staffed government relations program. The president as spokesperson, the political clout of trustees, institutional cooperation, a well-informed staff, and targeted legislative leadership…

Two English teachers debate the pros and cons of their professional organization's involvement in political issues and activities, focusing on the definitions of politics and teaching. (RL)