This hearing examined the current state of youth violence, focusing on its changing nature and juvenile intervention programs designed to prevent increased violence. Opening statements by Senators Fred Thompson, Herbert Kohl, and Joseph R. Biden addressed the seriousness of the problem. Two panels contributed prepared statements. The first panel…

This booklet offers techniques and insights to assist the lobbying efforts of Minnesota advocates of individuals with disabilities. It begins by explaining lobbying and the legislative process. Suggestions for effective meetings with legislators are provided, along with ways to get an author for proposed legislation. The following sections discuss…

The implementation and evaluation of the 1968 Reform in Israel's educational system are reviewed, highlighting trends and problems in the relationships among researchers, research, and policymakers. The multifaceted aspects of these relations, their ramifications, and the various groups' ambivalent attitudes toward the study are discussed.…

Role playing in first-year legal education can serve to teach doctrine and to encourage self-reflection and student cooperation. Role plays used to meet these goals in a contracts course include: a contract controversy, jury instructions and argument, mock appellate argument, negotiation, a trial, counseling, and legislating. (MSE)

The efforts of an ad hoc committee formed to lobby for federal legislation to allow tax deductions to nonitemizers for charitable gifts are described. Suggests that decline in charitable contributions could be disastrous to colleges, churches, etc. (MLW)

The Legislative Environmental Advisory Group (LEAG) is an experimental program whose purpose is to produce public policy research on environmental issues for Iowa state legislators. LEAG's membership, selection of six manageable research areas, evaluation of projects, scheduling, and dissemination of results are briefly discussed. (MLW)

From the viewpoint of a state legislator, discusses ways that educators and legislators can combine their expertise to improve the educational policy-making process and to develop useful information on educational programs that can serve as a basis for constructive, informed legislative action. (JG)

Believing they are threatened by the Education Department, which they consider unfriendly, officials of proprietary schools have made substantial campaign contributions over the past two years to shore up their support in Congress, just at the time lawmakers prepared to consider changes in student-aid rules that would be unfavorable to…

During the 1997 session, many Texas lawmakers, especially Black and Hispanic Democrats, have introduced legislation to avert a crisis in the state's higher education system arising from the Hopwood v. Texas supreme court decision leading to discontinuance of affirmative action. Two controversial bills that were approved concerned softening of…

Examines George Bush's relations with Congress early in his term, focusing on the political and legislative environment in which Bush was operating. Analyzes Bush's legislative strategy, including agenda setting and orientation to Congress. Maintains that effective leadership is defined and constrained by the configuration of political forces. (RW)

Argues that the present status of Blacks in England has been shaped by the changing nature of the Empire and Commonwealth, the declining British economy, and political underrepresentation, and that it reflects immigration restrictions and the British polity's refusal to acknowledge the effect of adverse racial, colonial, and political factors. (AF)

Presents online addresses and descriptions of government-operated Internet sites, as well as non-government-operated sites that provide federal and political information. Sidebars give instructions for contacting your congressperson via telecommunications; and examine government sites devoted to health care. (JMV)

This statement by Senator Albert Gore, Jr., on introduction of the Information Infrastructure and Technology Act of 1992 highlights examples of applications of high-performance computing, the components of the Information Infrastructure Development Program (i.e., education, libraries, manufacturing, and health care), and participating agencies. A…

Describes a music educator's experiences in lobbying for legislative support of school music programs. Suggests that those interested in lobbying should set clear goals, develop networks of supporters and acknowledge their assistance, maintain community visibility, and brainstorm for ideas. Emphasizes the importance of getting news coverage and of…

To determine the effect on legislative decision making of five selected influences questionnaires were sent to members of the Virginia General Assembly (139 in 1986, and 140 in 1988). A response rate of more than 50 percent was achieved. On 22 of the 26 education-related bills studied, personal feelings were the most important influence. (seven…