In an effort to help students better understand the complexity of making environmental policy and the role of policy actors in this process, we developed a mock congressional hearing simulation. In this congressional hearing, students in two environmental policy courses take on the roles of members of Congress and various interest groups to…

This paper endorses Dick Selleck and Geoffrey Sherington's view that public policy-making is characterised by both fluidity and contestability. In April 1988, the report of a Taskforce headed by Brian Picot recommended major reforms in New Zealand's public education system. Even today, however, there is controversy regarding the major influences…

The concept of "practice" is offering a new approach to questions in public policy, especially those dealing with the process dimension of the political. But what exactly are practices? The first part of this paper focuses on the appropriate size or dimension of a political practice: What kind or range of events should be considered as…

Citizen participation in public policy making is a serious jeopardy because of the frustration cause by an enormous avalanche of information, by the impersonalization of our institutions, and by the technological revolution. A small social action committee dedicated to the collective interchange of ideas and information and working in an…

The work of the Visions Education Task Force suggests that Jenne's conceptualization of strategic planning in the public sector can be remarkably effective. A necessary condition for effectiveness was a supportive setting. The rational process of strategic planning proved inappropriate for addressing nonrational issues related to the community's…

The United States House of Representatives' committees that make policy of importance to higher education are described, subcommittee leaders are profiled, and members are listed by political party. Telephone numbers are also provided. (MSE)

Public residential facilities (N=218) were surveyed to determine the roles played by their Human Rights Committees in reviewing restrictive/aversive behavior modification procedures. The survey found that almost 98 percent reported having an active Human Rights Committee and 95 percent of the committees were responsible for review of…

Through a review of basic literature in the family policy field, recent state documents and budget submissions, this paper was compiled to give direction to the Massachusetts Advisory Committee on Families. The formation of the Committee is examined in Part One of this paper and it is argued that the committee should not engage in endless family…

The postsecondary education policymaking process in Australia, rather than being goal-oriented and rational, is a series of adjustments to existing policy dictated by political expediency, often over many years and changes of government and leading to decisions reflecting unstable origins. This committee's broad influences illustrate this process.…

The work of the Temporary Commission on the Future of Postsecondary Education in New York State is analyzed in this paper. Known as the Wessell Commission, it was created in June 1976 when the City University of New York (CUNY) was closed for lack of operating funds. Legislation permitting CUNY to reopen contained a provision for the comprehensive…

The November 1996 national election pits different education philosophies against each other; republicans want more local control, fewer rules, and greater school choice, while democrats talk of more federal funding while balancing the budget. The future of the Higher Education Act, African American influence in Congress, education committee…