Drawing upon ongoing research exploring lived experiences of sensory overload, meltdown, and shutdown in autism as a framework, this article reflects on the challenges and benefits of employing participatory methods in doctoral research. In particular, the process of establishing and working with a Research Advisory Group to co-create a…

Some anomalies in the legislation governing National Research Ethics Service Research Ethics Committee (REC) member categories are discussed. It is suggested that not only may some members be in the wrong category, but that the legislation identifies individuals who are simply ineligible for any form of REC membership.

In 2006 the author was contracted to research possible approaches to a UK indicator of education for sustainable development (ESD). This article describes and seeks to explain the response of government advisers and influential members of the UK ESD community to the approaches he proposed. While the UK strategy for sustainable development called…

The Commission has expressed concerns about the preparation of University of California and California State University executive compensation and faculty salary studies. In response to the Commission's direction, a Compensation Study Advisory Committee was convened to explore the utility of salary and compensation studies and suggest…

A survey of 42 think tanks was completed to determine their extent of involvement in family policy research and advocacy. Four think tanks were found to be actively involved in both research and advocacy to families: the Brookings Institution, the American Enterprise Institute, the Urban Institute, and the Heritage Foundation. (Author/LLL)

IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE EDUCATION FOR CULTURALLY DEPRIVED CHILDREN, A CURRICULUM PLANNING COMMITTEE SHOULD BE SET UP, INCLUDING ONE MEMBER FROM EACH DISTRICT OR AREA. AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND SPECIALISTS SHOULD COORDINATE WITH THE COMMITTEE. A CURRICULUM COORDINATOR SHOULD BE APPOINTED FOR EACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM. THE…

Prepared by a Subcommittee of the Rural Sociological Society Development Committee, this report focuses on the policies of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)--how those policies are made and the implication of those policies for the disadvantaged in the United States. The Subcommittee assembled 2 bibliographies: (1) dealing with…

The purpose of this paper is to define a rationale for use in the refinements of daily curriculum operations in a school district, and establish a general understanding about policy and non-policy matters in curriculum. It is concluded that the area of curriculum should be guided by written policies which demonstrate that appropriate attention has…

Task forces are increasingly used in educational planning activities. Some basic functional principles pertaining to task forces are considered and followed by a description of the accomplishments of a current task force which is focusing on personnel preparation for teaching handicapped students. (CJ)

Used the expertise of disabilities professionals to develop a survey to help higher education administrators evaluate programs accommodating the computer needs of students with disabilities, develop strategic plans, and implement results that comply with federal mandates. Gathered observations and insights during development and testing of the…

Discusses the value of using committees to assume responsibility for various areas of school board business. Provides five tips for being a good committee member and five guidelines for heading a committee. Includes discussion on dealing with problem committee members. (MD)

Discusses Auburn University's Library Research Committee which supports library research, writing, and other scholarly activities by providing advice on and review of research proposals; editorial guidance; sponsorship of research seminars and symposia; identification and purchase of computer resources; and dissemination of information about…

This report of the Committee on Student Learning to the 73rd Texas Legislature addresses committee structure and membership, the charges to the committee as established in House Bill 2885, and the committee's key actions during its first year. The committee focused on receiving research and discussing issues related to outcomes-driven education,…

Minnesota Statute 120B.365 established an Assessment Advisory Committee to advise the commissioner on statewide assessment issues. The committee may consist of up to 11 members. The Committee will make recommendations to the commissioner and/or the legislature about issues involving statewide assessment. This report briefly provides a background…

Using examples from the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (U.K.), the authors investigate the use of special or expert commissions in government policy-making in education. They analyze such commissions' impacts, the criticisms made of them, their role in political legitimation, and some alternative instruments for policy formation.…