Today's children may be exposed to violence in their environment, through the media, at home, and in school. Some children live in countries at war, while others survive in neighborhoods where street gangs prevail. Most parents and children used to assume they could depend upon schools to be safe places, free from abuse and violence. Now it seems…

"Alabama Education News" is published monthly except for June, July, and December by the Alabama Department of Education. This publication, authorized by Section 16-2-4 of the "Code of Alabama", as recompiled in 1975, is a public service of the Alabama Department of Education designed to inform citizens and educators about…

Monitoring the Future is a long-term program of research being conducted at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research under a series of investigator-initiated research grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Now in its 32nd year, the study is comprised of several ongoing series of annual surveys of nationally…

Discusses similarities and differences, in the context of civil rights issues, of the congressional climate in the 1960s and the 1980s. (CMG)

Examples of the descriptive language used in state legislatures. (Author/MLF)

Discusses the filming of seven 30-minute film documentaries on the Nevada Legislature. (Editor)

Explained for the parks and recreation professional in this article are the steps involved in transforming an idea into a law. The legislative process discussed involves: developing the idea, selecting a sponsor, lobbying for support from administering agencies, testifying before the committee, and contacting members of Congress once the bill gets…

Recounts Congressional concerns and progress in the area of vocational education. Discusses the struggles and successes since the Vocational Education Act of 1963. (JOW)

Lists a time frame to assist in knowing which legislators to contact and when to contact them to advocate the arts. Offers four arguments in support of a state-level Fine Arts Supervisor. Advocates letters and phone calls as effective means of advocacy, and offers pointers on writing them. Contains a sample letter and telephone call. (PRA)

Statements were presented by: Honorable Tom Harkin, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Iowa, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Honorable Robert B. Casey, Jr., U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania; Honorable Saxby Chambliss, U.S. Senator from Georgia; Honorable Richard G. Lugar; Honorable Ken Salazar, U.S. Senator from Colorado; Kelly…

Educational accountability is a serious concern of legislative bodies representing the people paying the costs involved in community college education. Most cost evaluations have, up to now, revolved about operational costs such as those associated with instruction and plant operation. However, newer evaluations are centering on program quality…

A state senator in Maryland offers some guidelines for educators attempting to influence the legislative process. (Author/MLF)

Describes life in Philadelphia from 1790-1800 while the city was the temporary capital of the United States. Discusses the city's attempts to keep the federal government there and outlines specific issues the Continental Congress dealt with while meeting there. (BSR)

The effect on state legislation of a united body of principals can be significant. This author explains how bills affecting education can be initiated, fought for, and passed. (Editor)

Texas Governor Rick Perry convened the legislature in a fourth special session in April 2004 for state leaders to address school finance and tax related issues left unresolved in its 2003 regular biennial gathering. As the session opened, there was much uproar about how the system was to be changed dramatically. Some talked about creating a new…