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.…

Articles in this special issue discuss the utilization of social research by governmental commissions. How social science knowledge influences their decision making is examined. (RM)

Describes a study that was conducted to examine the structures and functions of advisory boards and councils at Canadian and U.S. schools with programs of library and information science accredited by the American Library Association. The impact of these boards on programs and program quality is discussed. (Contains five references.) (LRW)

This report on the National Advisory Council on Adult Education has nine brief sections: (1) an overview of the council's purpose, functions, history, methods, 1976-1977 mission and accomplishments, and future role; (2) a discussion of the functions of the executive director's office and the reasons for undertaking two projects (Futures and…

The National Advisory Council on Adult Education (NACAE) is examined from the perspectives of various adult educators and the Council members themselves. Focus is on three areas: (1) the demographic characteristics of the thirty-seven people who have served on the NACAE since its inception in January, 1971; (2) Council member activities undertaken…

This first interim report of the National Commission for Manpower Policy on the manpower challenges of 1975 was developed to (1) assess the extent to which federal manpower and manpower-related programs provide a structure capable of responding to the current unemployment problems and (2) consider some of the long-run critical manpower issues that…

The research and evaluation consultant for the North Carolina Advisory Council on Vocational Education summarizes the position of the National Advisory Council based on their special 1974 report entitled "Report on Urban Vocational Education" supplemented by the annual reports from 1972 to 1975. Noting that the report summarizes hearings…

Almost seventy years passed before vocational education was recognized in 1977 as a state function in North Carolina's public secondary schools, community colleges/technical institutes, and teacher education programs. Although the 1917 Smith-Hughes Act initiated vocational education, North Carolina education was primarily a local matter until the…

This booklet, the second in a series of four, was designed by the Task Force on Career Education as a handbook for state policy makers who are responsible for legislating the full implementation of career education. The content is presented in seven sections. The first on legislative leadership covers the goals and objectives of career education…

This report briefly describes several dimensions of the youth unemployment problem and discusses 13 council recommendations for legislative consideration: (1) Consider the problem in a broad context which includes counseling, education, and skill training; (2) mesh programs and utilize existing resources at all governmental levels; (3) promote a…

This report of the activities of the National Advisory Council on Extension and Continuing Education during 1976 focuses on current information about (1) the nature and extent of the need for federal continuing education programs; (2) the appropriateness of the existing responses in light of the needs identified; and (3) the Council's…

In this North Carolina council on education report concerning vocational education in the state's public schools and community colleges/technical institutes three sections are presented: (1) North Carolina advisory council commendation and recommendations to the state board of education, (2) components of the council's annual evaluation report…

This book was designed to serve as a guide for vocational education administrators in implementing comprehensive program planning (the process of forecasting the future and then preparing for it) as called for in the Education Amendments of 1976. The content is presented in ten chapters. The first provides an overview of comprehensive planning in…

Key players in U.S. and Canadian vocational education and workforce training resemble each other. Motives from cultural values, ethics, or personal gain drive players' interaction. The U.S. government is increasing availability of grant funding but influencing policy by stipulating conditions on grant monies. In Canada, the federal government is…