Describes the two-year systematic process by which the Saskatoon Catholic Board of Education formulated a mission statement. This grassroots policy development, based on principles of naturalistic inquiry and consensus building, comprised four stages: consultations with 70 small discussion groups representing all stakeholders, interpretation of…

This paper examines the development of service policy for people with intellectual disabilities in Australia, noting the minor role of research and empirical enquiry. Research's significant role in monitoring policy during the implementation phase is, however, acknowledged. A coordinated research program contributing to both policy development and…

Legislators and college leaders bring different concerns to the issue of student transfer policy effectiveness. If governing boards do not ensure effective transfer, legislatures may take the initiative by issuing mandates for interinstitutional cooperation. The key to successful transfer and articulation is collegial faculty-to-faculty…

A review of federal programs for health manpower and major issues in manpower demand, supply and distribution, and roles and responsibilities suggests key policy questions concerning the number and mix of health personnel, health professions education and training programs, and improvement in the knowledge base. (MSE)

Outsiders (i.e., regulators, adjudicators, and "messiahs") frequently arrive with insistent demands for school change. The demands of these interest groups should not be set ahead of those of legitimate stakeholders at the school level. Having some interest at risk and commitment are characteristics that distinguish stakeholders from…

Discusses a study conducted by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) which examined the federally funded research system and the role of data for decision making in research policy. Highlights include data needs; research expenditures and personnel; the research process; measuring the outcomes of research; and the research evaluation process.…

Discusses trends and issues that are involved in state planning for educational telecommunications. Topics discussed include distance education; fiscal concerns; cost effectiveness; policymaking; models for coordinated telecommunications planning; the involvement of businesses in educational telecommunications planning; and state organizations and…

Applies risk management models to child care administration. These models have been used by corporations to plan for crisis management. The formation of a crisis management policy and procedure is described, and features of effective communication during crises are outlined. (GLR)

Argues that the goal of quality education for every child requires fundamental change in the process of teaching and learning. Criticizes the treatment of educational choice as the most important single education reform because it does not improve the learning environment of every child. Encourages avoidance of state entanglement in religion. (DK)

Using as a basis the threat of climatic change resulting from global warming, this article considers the functions that might be assigned to an international regime. For each function individually and collectively, the instruments and institutions that would be required for the various processes are examined. (SLD)

Evaluation issues pertaining to the Intelligent Vehicle Highway System are discussed. Transportation is an area that clearly illustrates how technology is outrunning social science. Those responsible for the evaluation of programs and options must assume responsibility for spelling out the destructive consequences of focusing only on technology.…

Federal civil litigation in which a faculty inventor challenged the university's right to share in proceeds from his invention is examined. Issues of employment contracts, the university research office's responsibility for monitoring faculty research, and the role of patenting and licensing firms are considered. Implications for university policy…

In 1985, Illinois adopted state legislation supporting school district mergers. In one rural district studied, local opposition to consolidation was based on self-interest, ideologies of localism and traditionalism, and (to a lesser extent) research information. Implications for policymakers and the complexity of the "local control"…

Describes the Energy Information Administration (EIA), a statistical agency which provides credible, timely, and useful energy information for decision makers in all sectors of society. The 10 articles included in the volume cover survey design, data collection, data integration, data analysis, modeling and forecasting, confidentiality, and…

A human resources approach to academic staffing is proposed which is based on an organizational framework intended to be coherent, effective, and efficient. The approach requires that the institution build a broad recruitment reserve of young scientists, develop profiles of desired faculty characteristics, and use a staff allocation system as a…