Explores the relationship between educational policy and educational research, noting the minimal contribution of research to policy formation. Explains the contribution in terms of the characteristics of policy makers, differences between the research and policy communities, and the nature of research and research findings. Includes…

Data regarding community participation for 66 school systems enrolling 50,000 or more students show such participation at the local school and districtwide levels for all 66 systems. Sixty-seven percent also report community participation at the decentralized level. (CMG)

Spectacular contemporary growth in private higher education challenges the "new institutionalism" and its emphasis on "isomorphism." The growth brings great inter-organizational distinctiveness and is linked to technically rational competition. Findings about this growth and distinctiveness lead us to re-assess and revise…

The rapid increase in overweight among children and adolescents is generating widespread concern. On average, rates of overweight for boys and girls remain similar. Some groups of children are more affected by overweight than others. This paper discusses the health consequences of childhood obesity. A list of school interventions for obesity…

This issue of the Nation's Report Card for New Mexico highlights National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Science results for 2005. Key findings for Grade 4 indicate that there has been no significant change since 2000 in the average science score; average science score for Grade 8 has dropped since 1996. There has been no significant…

This study explored the traditionally opposite psychological domains of cognition and emotion by investigating self-regulation and self-efficacy in third graders. The study assessed the relationship between cognitive self-regulation measurements (monitoring of time, planning, and persistence) and affective self-efficacy measurements (prediction of…

This document details the strategic plan of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to address disparities in health and developmental outcomes among Americans, particularly between and among racial and ethnic groups. Following a description of the plan's development, scientific areas of interest, and important themes, the…

Describes the evolution and success of Scotland's Adult Basic Education (ABE) program, staffed with paid and volunteer tutors in literacy, numeracy, social, and other skills. Illustrates regional differences in ABE skill offerings, students, and staffs with examples from various areas. Stresses the underlying adaptability of ABE to student needs.…

Reviews "American Collegiate Populations. A Test of the Traditional View," by Colin B. Burke, 1982, New York University Press (distributor, Columbia University Press). Indicates that the book (considering such topics as college foundings, enrollment levels, graduates' careers, regional differences) improves the numerical record and exposes…

Questionnaires administered to all 4,128 of the teaching staff at nine institutions of higher education in Australia and New Zealand received a 46 percent response rate. Significant differences between the work-related attitudes of staff at colleges and those at universities are attributed to institutional culture rather than demographic…

Reviews the National Institute of Education's 1978 study of school crime. Offers several social trends as possible causes for recent increases in school crime. Suggests methods for reducing violence in the schools. (BE)

Finnish students, aged 14, enrolled in compulsory civic schools, had considerably less fluency in English as a second language than those students enrolled in the more selective middle schools. Achievement of older gymnasium (college-preparatory) students did not differ by school type: state, private urban, or private rural. (CP)

Describes a study which explored (1) early childhood educators' attitudes concerning early childhood education and educational policies, and (2) regional or subgroup differences in these attitudes. Concludes that (1) respondents believe in the value of early education outside the home, and (2) the major subgroup differentiation is between…

Interviews with 207 Soviet immigrant adolescents reveal the adjustment difficulties they have in Canadian schools because of the different school system and changes in their socioeconomic status. The school and community must cooperate in facilitating the adaption of these students to the educational system. (PMJ)

Summarizes findings of a 1979 national survey of governors, legislators, and other state policymakers on the major school finance issues and areas of concern for the coming decade. Condensed from "School Finance Reform in the States: 1980," published by the Education Finance Center, Education Commission of the States. (Author/SJL)