An analysis of structured interviews conducted in 1973, 1979, and 1984 with state legislators and school lobbyists and 14 case studies that investigated issues in Minnesota state school policymaking reveal that influence relationships do not correspond to the bureaucratic model. Political leaders influence policymaking far more than do…

Examines the work of the college or university chief financial officer (CFO) in government relations, focusing on the CFO's responsibilities, methods of working with state legislatures, pitfalls in legislative relations, and special problems faced by institutions in capital cities. (Author/MSE)

The General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) was created in 1968 to take into consideration the specific concerns of education as they relate to the federal regulatory process. Setting down standard procedures for education regulation, the GEPA has created enforcement problems, turf battles, and mountains of regulations. In a major revamping of…

An interview with Senator Bill Bradley (Democrat of New Jersey) covers such issues as the legislator's candid confrontation of racial issues, racial bias and education, higher education's role in social change, the value of campus racial and ethnic caucuses, and payment of revenue-generating college athletes. (MSE)

A literature-based model of the legislative politics of policy innovation is examined in light of Minnesota's experiences with the school choice issue. A revised model, reflecting case-study findings, is presented. The leadership area is identified as the arena where lawmakers can exert leverage on restructuring public education. (SLD)

A study of leading state-level policy actors in Florida's higher education identified a hierarchy of power and influence. Policy elites were legislators and key legislative staff consultants, the university system chancellor, and the state board of regents. Least influential in policy formation were faculty and student interest groups and…

Election of Bill Clinton as President has injected Washington, DC, with optimism, but few observers believe his promises will be accomplished without eruptions of conflict, frustration, and acrimony. The 103rd Congress must face pressing issues immediately, concerning health care and benefits, higher education financing, and research and…

Discusses the use of lobbying by education interest groups in the political process. Suggests lobbying strategies and techniques effective at the state level. (FMW)

The new director of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, which represents 113 historically black colleges and universities, responds to questions about the Association's future relationship with Congress, the effects of recent court cases on prospects for minority students' access to higher education, and leadership…

The purpose of this study was: (1) to examine state legislature agendas for providing access to use of technology for educational purposes; (2) to review legislative policy concerns and priorities related to the role of technology in postsecondary education; and (3) to examine the effect of legislative views and actions regarding technology on…

An exploration of the decision-making processes of state legislators on public school finance issues focuses on major school finance changes that occurred in Michigan in 1973 and in Washington and Missouri in 1977. Roll call votes, primarily in the lower chambers of the state legislatures, on both selected amendments and the complete versions of…

State higher education policy-making processes can evoke or avoid public consideration of underlying tensions in postsecondary education. A study of imposition of out-of-state enrollment limits at the University of North Carolina, and its effects on the Chapel Hill campus, suggests contemporary dynamics of state policy-making can suppress…

Findings from 20 interviews conducted with individuals involved in the California New Teacher Project, which is administered by the California Department of Education and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, are reported to assess the policy environment for new teacher support and assessment programs. The study was conducted by the Southwest…

The November 1996 national election pits different education philosophies against each other; republicans want more local control, fewer rules, and greater school choice, while democrats talk of more federal funding while balancing the budget. The future of the Higher Education Act, African American influence in Congress, education committee…

The paper addresses the need for reform in the trusteeship of public higher education that will address coming economic, political, and social challenges. It suggests the need for clearer definition of the roles and responsibilities of lawmakers, trustees, and public higher education leaders, and key reforms that include: (1) the recruitment,…