One educator criticizes another's characterization (HE 530 510) of national research councils as part of a linear multitiered structure, interpretation of the roles of two British councils, and assumptions about decision-making and policy-setting processes. (MSE)

Using examples from the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (U.K.), the authors investigate the use of special or expert commissions in government policy-making in education. They analyze such commissions' impacts, the criticisms made of them, their role in political legitimation, and some alternative instruments for policy formation.…