Discusses the need to introduce pluralist theory in addition to teaching the formal institutional arrangements of government in high school political science courses. An awareness of cultural pluralism allows students to examine the powerful role of interest or pressure groups. (Author/KC)

The article analyzes the ultimately unsuccessful political strategies of the tribal president of the Quechan Indians in his 1974-76 attempts to remain in office and obtain resources for his tribe, while operating within the constraints of the often contradictory expectations of tribal members and federal officials. (SB)

Describes student forums as a means for students to learn through role-playing instead of reading a textbook or listening to a lecture. Explains that students debate the issue of independence of the U.S. judiciary in this sample forum. Provides detailed roles for students willing to express their positions during the panel discussion. (CMK)

It is time for the field of evaluation to recognize that the ability to serve policy depends as much on what is understood about how politics works as it does on the quality and appropriateness of evaluation methods. Evaluations must be defensible as the political mix changes. (SLD)

Contends that the stereotype of political corruption and contention between the Republicans and Democrats remains the basis of many lesson plans on the Gilded Age. Offers a brief account of the origins of this conventional interpretation, its persistence for nearly a century, and the challenge to it by more recent scholars. (CMK)

This case study documents how the school board of the city of New Rochelle, New York, handled change when it transmuted from being appointed to being elected. Local policy implications undergird such a transition. Specifically, a review of political influences and outcomes on school board policy and how the board and the city's politicians coped…

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…

This bibliography is intended to serve as a guide to information about women's participation in American politics. Emphasis is on materials published since 1965, but landmark works published earlier are also included. Many documents are from unpublished sources; information on obtaining them is available from the Center for the American Woman and…

This bibliography focuses upon the programs which have been proposed as a solution to poverty under the so-called war on poverty. The first section of the bibliography suggests some of the materials which could prove useful as theoretical or methodological guides to an analysis of the "powerlessness" of the poor and the operation of the…

"Practical Political Action", intended for secondary grade students and adapted directly from the nonpartisan "Action Course in Practical Politics" prepared and published by the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, is designed to assist students in understanding and participating in the political life of our nation by examining action at the…

This curriculum unit on citizenship education examines some voluntary associations which Americans join to accomplish certain objectives. The purposes of the unit are to show students how associations take positions on certain issues, such as reforming Congress or amnesty, and how they work to effect governmental policies. It is hoped that…

This case study of the Early Childhood Education Program (California) focuses on the political meaning of evaluation. It shows how analysis of evaluation politics reveals who controls education policy, which values are prevailing and dominant, and which definitions of policy goals constitute the assumptive world. (RDN)

Analyzes how traditional and liberal discourses treat the intersection of culture, power, and knowledge in fashioning a view of teaching and learning. Argues that both traditions fail as modes of critical pedagogy and that it is necessary to develop a critical discourse that embraces pedagogy as a form of cultural politics. (Author/GC)

Higher education lobbyists in Washington work as liaisons between their institutions and the federal government. The experiences of several lobbyists are described. Lobbying is seen as a game of knowing the people who can help and showing the legislators how a side of an issue benefits them. (MLW)

The increasing dependency of community colleges on state funding has led to a parallel increase in state intrusion into institutional decision making. If trustees are to head off this intrusion, they must carefully develop sound institutional goals and priorities and must become active lobbyists on their behalf. (DC)