Background information is provided on a number of conditions affecting Ontario's community colleges. The first section, dealing with financial issues, considers the college environment in the 1980s; examines the provincial government's perspective on priorities, the allocation process, government funding, and budgetary expenditures and trends; and…

The ten papers in this collection commissioned by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory take positions and speculate about particular obstacles which collaboratives and intermediaries face in working toward the improvement of educational practice and equity through regional approaches. The papers discuss (1) the essential characteristics…

This report describes the organization, planning, and procedures for two seminars which examined alternative approaches to the achievement of two goals: increasing equity and improving educational practices. The seminars had as their major purposes the study and analysis of interorganizational collaboration as it enhances these goals, and the…

The large growth in disability transfer program beneficiaries and expenditures from 1965-1978 has led to public concern over the incentive effects of and the budgetary expenditures for these programs. This paper examines the two strategies of removing individuals from the rolls via administrative review and reducing the generosity of benefits.…

New initiatives, administrative changes, and funding levels are discussed in this position paper. Among the recommendations are: better implementation of existing policies; better utilization of existing funds; improved targeting of funds; additional public service employment funding; revenue sharing reforms; and improved housing and community…

Based on ten years of experience in curriculum research and development, the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory supports the following principles concerning policy issues in curriculum development: (1) state and local policy makers and practitioners should make decisions about needed curriculum development, and the same persons should make…

Considers role of states as middlemen between federal government and local public libraries in administration of Library Services and Construction Act funds. An audit of Illinois state library agencies, 1970 federal mandates, state control of federal funds, and state library agencies' use of funds are discussed. Eight references are cited. (EJS)

This excerpt from a position paper prepared by the National Urban League contains recommendations which correspond to the nine policies and initiatives contained in the second version of the President's National Urban Policy report. (RLV)

In response to a provision of the Education Amendments of 1978 concerning evaluation practices and procedures, this report examines four aspects of evaluation in education which focus on how funds allocated to evaluation can be spent more effectively and yield more useful results. On this basis, groups of recommendations are made to both Congress…

Presented are the major international energy policy issues facing all nations, and a basis for analyzing current and proposed United States' energy policies and initiatives. Eleven issues are examined, all of which relate to one central theme: Are U.S. international energy and related policies consistent with domestic energy goals, national…

This paper assesses the rationale for legislated program consolidation, summarizing problems with the current structure of categorical programs and arguments for reform through consolidation, reviewing past consolidation proposals, discussing the likely effects of such proposals, analyzing the state, local, and federal responses that can be…

Federal statistics form the foundation and are the standard for private statistics. Reliable and accurate statistics are increasingly used in complex models of the economy and society that have become important tools for management of large business concerns and for policy planning in governmental bodies. Reductions in government funding threaten…

Identified and discussed in this report are the major obstacles administrators of state environmental programs perceive they face when implementing federal environmental laws. These findings are based upon a survey conducted by the United States General Accounting Office (GAO) in 1978. According to state officials, the greatest barriers to…

Focuses on the impact of federal policies and programs on community colleges. Suggests that community colleges have not provided vital information to be used by federal agencies to improve resource allocation and, ultimately, institutional impact. Reviews trends in federal programs and policies. (DMM)

There has been an expansion of the role played by organized labor in vocational training. The number of apprenticeable occupations has been increasing with the growing addition of nontraditional skill areas. Government-funded training programs provide necessary resources for program development and implementation. (CT)