Presents a historical view of the development of the system used at the National Science Foundation for judging proposals sent to the agency for financial support for fundamental research. Controversies that challenged established procedures are described; political influences and policy changes are examined; and the peer review process is…

One purpose of this paper was to describe the present process of machine government and private-regarding practices in local school government. Another purpose was to theorize from these data, based on selected conceptual notions, about the political process in educational governance. Data for the study came from a Pennsylvania superintendent…

This document is a transcript of a Congressional hearing on race relations and adolescents. The impetus for much of the testimony is the worsening climate of race relations in the United States, represented by recent violent incidents involving youths. The witnesses were a varied group of social scientists, politicians, and educators who have…

Traces the origin of affirmative action from Reconstruction and the Fourteenth Amendment through the emergence in case law of legal definitions of quotas and the development of the modern concept of affirmative action. The current legal status of affirmative action employment programs, their effectiveness, and future prospects are commented upon.…

In March 1996, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated the University of Texas School of Law's admission policy in "Hopwood v. State of Texas." The state failed to show a compelling government interest for the affirmative-action admissions policy favoring Mexican-American and African-American applicants. Minority admissions…

Reviews the legal developments, court decisions, and judicial trends that relate to the disclosure of information about a child's health background and social history to adoptive parents. Also discusses the statutory requirements in many states concerning the duty to disclose such information. (MDM)

The report highlights eight children's programs found to be fiscally effective by evaluations completed in the last 5 years. Each of the programs is addressed in terms of evaluation findings from specific studies. The following eight programs are examined (sample findings in parentheses): (1) WIC-Special Supplemental Food Program for Women,…

Because of the importance of nutrition during teenage pregnancies, the Illinois State Council on Nutrition held public hearings in Chicago and in Carbondale, areas having a high incidence of infant mortality. Several issues were identified: (1) effects on nutrition of low income, poor nutrition habits, and lack of understanding of the increased…

School finance reform has reflected, over the last 10 years, the changing relationship between education and state government. Emerging from the case histories presented here is the conclusion that, gradually, the barriers separating education policymakers from general government have been lowered. At the same time, the fragmentation among…

This article explores the evolution of federal government policy on education during the past 20 years, points out trends likely to influence future policy, and projects possible future responses to these trends. The roles of educational interest groups instrumental in passing the legislation are described. (PP)

Perspectives on college preparation and the transition from secondary to postsecondary education are addressed in a 1982 public hearing. Two main goals are articulated: to improve the quality of secondary school curricula, and to ensure access to or equality of educational opportunities for college for minority and majority students. An overview…

Three key political decisions made in Tennessee higher education that have brought about major changes in structure and have implications for the future are discussed. The decisions are: creation of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) in 1967, the creation of the State Board of Regents (SBR) in 1972, and the establishment of the…

Limited to teacher conduct of a nonverbal nature occurring outside the school setting, this monograph presents the case law resulting from the dismissal of teachers for unacceptable conduct. The first section reviews literature on teachers' personal conduct. The second deals with the issue of whether a teacher is obligated to serve as an exemplar…

A child born in Japan, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, or any of 12 other industrialized nations has a better chance of surviving his or her first year than does a child born in the United States. This is because too many babies are born too small, too many are born too soon, and too many mothers never get decent care…