In his critical response to TM 506 654, the author points to three major strengths of the aforementioned. These include: (1) breadth of perspective; (2) significance of federal presence; and (3) recommendations concerning the future role of the federal government in education. Also discussed are areas deemed questionable by the author. (GK)

The author outlines current federal interest in the competency testing movement, explaining the federal role as supportive, with no plans for a national test, but with concern for equal educational opportunity. Federal activities are described, including the new NIE Office of Testing, Assessment, and Evaluation. (SJL)

New youth strategies are outlined with an emphasis on matching the policy to the problem. The author says federal policy can hardly do more than provide countercyclical public employment. He recommends a more ambitious partnership between federal, state, local, and private agencies. (CT)

After discussing the operations of both federally and nonfederally funded teacher centers, the authors raise some policy issues about the role of teacher education institutions and faculty in center development, operation, and governance. (SJL)

Three recent developments are of interest to all concerned with improving the quality of life in rural America: (1) the federal Small Community and Rural Development Policy (1979), (2) the Rural Development Policy Act of 1980, and (3) the desire for local control made clear by the November 1980 elections. (AN)

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)

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) can initiate a compliance review of any company receiving a federal contract. The OFCCP equal opportunity specialist looks for discriminatory patterns of hiring, firing, promotion, and pay. Any company not complying with recommendations of the OFCCP may be prevented from obtaining future…

The improvement in the enforcement of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action during the first year of the new consolidated Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is detailed. With only one federal agency responsible for enforcement, contract compliance has been enforced consistently. (RLV)

This article traces federal housing policies related to single family home ownership from their creation in the 1930s to the present. It focuses on policies of the Federal Housing Administration and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board as well as other federal regulators of financial institutions. (Author/RLV)

Because of the exceptions to the legislation, the HEW age discrimination regulations will fall far short of imposing age desegregation on the schools. There may, however, be some circumstances in which greater age diversity will be evident in the public schools in the years to come. (Author/IRT)

Reviews the need for pairing computer and videodisc technology to represent and organize complex information and to provide learners with more powerful tools for learning and problem solving. Both the instructional applications and economics of intelligent videodisc are noted, as is the effort of the National Science Foundation to support such…

With over 500,000 foreign students in United States colleges and universities, the Immigration and Naturalization Service is piloting a program to monitor the activities of foreign students and scholars. The Coordinated Interagency Partnership Regulating International Students is being tried with 10,000 students in Alabama, Georgia, North…

In response to Fischer (HE 527 626), the author considers his proposal to simplify need analysis in Pell grants and other federal need-based student aid as ignoring important considerations. It is suggested that a single formula will be difficult to derive until a coherent philosophy of needs analysis and specific current purpose for the grant…

Discusses the role of the national values of efficiency, choice, and equity in the adoption and implementation of the federal education block grant program and the negative effects on school desegregation. Urges policymakers to consider policy goals, and not just policy instruments, when considering future proposals. (FMW)

A multifaceted program, Goals 2000: Educate America," has as one of its top priorities the development of skills standards for certain key occupations. This articles examines the development of standards for Hazardous Materials Management Technology technicians. (LZ)