Excerpts from observers of the conference "Policies, Practices, and Research in Teacher Education: Beyond the Looking Glass" illustrate the variety of recommendations to improve teacher education and the quality of teaching that emerged during this conference. Conference observers were Hendrik Gideonse, Shirley Hord, Thomas J. Lasley, Preston…

The failure of compensatory education programs to demonstrate permanent increases in intelligence with early intervention has constituted a basic challenge to the validity of the early experience paradigm. A reconceptualization of the effects of early experience, emphasizing the cumulative and dialectical nature of development, is needed. (KH)

Posits several ways of interpreting the finding that, nine months to one year after its publication, "A Nation at Risk" had had no direct impact on policies in public school districts in Louisiana. Questions the function of national commissions and whether their work can produce any lasting changes. (RDN)

A case study of the process of policy revision at a state university is used to explore the relationship between content and context of curriculum. Basic concepts and approaches from the field of organization theory were applied to the analysis of curriculum revision. (DF)

This case history of the Colorado Study of Learning Disabilities illustrates a variety of functions an evaluation study may serve for policy shapers at the state level. The impact of the initial evaluation is followed over two years, focusing on its use by influential participants in Colorado's special education policy-shaping community. (BW)

Presents information on Japanese engineering education and productivity which shows that education in Japan has been an instrument to achieve economic ends. Among areas addressed are development of educational policy, industry role, emphasis on engineering since end of World War II, studying in United States, and adaptive approach to…

Defines educational overload as the inability of an individual or organization to respond to a problem or situation in an appropriate period of time resulting in distress for the people involved. Recommends strategies for dealing with overload. (FL)

There is no good method of regulating the educational system based on specific, numerical measurements of labor requirements, and it will be important to integrate uncertainty into future forecasts. Adjustments in demand and supply of educated labor in Norway require a decentralized authority structure providing incentives for institutions and the…

An ongoing need for science policy in the near future will be a continuing emphasis on relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency in research. However, the university's response must be rooted in critical dialog with its environment, frequently reexamining its policy implications. (MSE)

Asserts that implementing change is easier when goals are clearly set by consensus. Elaborates a seven-step model for participatory goal setting. (TE)

Traces the history of National Science Foundation curriculum implementation efforts. Outlines recommendations of the Moudy Committee for future development and implementation procedures. Man-a course of Study (MACOS) is given particular attention. Discusses the probable effects of the majority report. (GS)

This statement by the AAUP Committee T on College and University Government defines the role of the faculty in decisions as the allocation of financial resources according to the principle of shared authority and offers some principles and derivative guidelines for faculty participation in this area. (LBH)

Professional educators have gained an upper hand in policy making while at the same time enjoying substantial insulation from public opinion and accountability. (MM)

Reviews and quotes from United Nations and UNESCO policy and program statements made during the 1970's regarding strategies for adult education and development. (WL)

A growing numbers of teachers hold the view that they have the right to determine curricular policy in the classroom. This view, the author maintains, is not only invalid but may also be detrimental to the teaching-learning process. (Editor)