The jobless rates of participants in the federal food stamps program and in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program greatly exceeded national averages in 1976; the majority of recipients were outside of the labor force. (BM)

Describes the development of a prototype database of federal food, agriculture, and nutrition programs: preliminary work; database design, including the identification of data elements; and data collection and processing. The uses of the database and suggestions for enhancing its future usefulness are discussed. (Author/JD)

Concludes that the Department of Education reflects an absence of new ideas about what ails education and that its establishment is merely symbolic action. (IRT)

A former MDTA and CETA project coordinator describes the goals and frustrations accrued during several years' field experience with funded programs. He recommends a redirection of CETA back toward a vocational and occupational training emphasis. This would serve to enlarge the skills and competencies of those covered by the program. (CT)

Discusses the federal government's progress toward the formation of a national energy policy and briefly describes the energy activities of government agencies, especially the Department of Energy. (SK)

In this interview, John Carr, the executive director of the 1980 White House Conference on Families, discusses some of the conference participants and proceedings and some of its major recommendations and intended follow-up activities to promote a "family perspective" in government and industry policymaking. (SJL)

Described are the career background and responsibilities of Bob Shephard, Associate Director of the National Sea Grant College program, Head of the Human Resources Division and Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations' Marine Advisory Service. (DS)

Certain expectations that federal officials have about evaluation researchers are discussed. Included are: (1) presence of a clear understanding of what evaluation means; (2) procedure for carrying out an evaluation; and (3) understanding by the evaluator of how the research relates to the decision-making process. (Author/GK)

Presents an assessment of the implementation of the Career Education Incentive Act program. A major finding was that the goals of widespread career education implementation as a result of the Act were probably unattainable, given the low levels of funding provided to states during the first years of operation. (CT)

Examines the interrelationship between the National Diffusion Network and the Office of Career Education. Discusses initial collaborative efforts (fiscal year 1979), further efforts (fiscal year 1980), and plans for the future. (CT)

An interview with the director of the Office of Gifted and Talented in the Department of Education, Harold C. Lyon, considers such topics as trends in the education of the gifted, growth in state consultants, myths concerning the gifted, and the role of parents. (CL)

Replies to Schlossman's (1978) critique of federal initiative in parent education. Examines the type of criticism illustrated in Schlossman, evaluates the accuracy of his claims, and presents an alternative view of the parent-child development center programs criticized by Schlossman. (Author/RH)

Federal programs improving services to migrant children are reviewed. Noted are the Migrant Student Record Transfer System (MSRTS), a computerized system for keeping track of children's concept achievements from one locale to another, and the Oral Language Skills List, a record of language transmitted through the MSRTS. (CL)

Recent federal developments regarding the education of handicapped students are reviewed. (CL)

Indicates aspects of arguments used by those opposing human services legislation. (CM)