Thirty-five state plans for the education of homeless children and youth as mandated by the 1987 Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act are reviewed and analyzed in this report. Specifically, the act requires that states designate agency authorization for a child's educational placement, procedures for placement dispute resolution, assurances…

The rural special education context is unique because of the distinct environment and the variety of rural school subcultures. However, little information about rural special education is available prior to the late 1970's, partially because federal agencies lacked a working definition of "rural." Although rural and urban special…

This essay proposes that systematic and reflective inquiry ought to become the underlying professional frame of mind that guides teachers, administrators, and policy officials. It is noted that the products of inquiry include rationales connecting recommended courses of action to intended outcomes, as well as the invention of techniques,…

Presented is the testimony of Dr. George A. Keyworth (Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President) in the first of a series of posture hearings held in connection with the responsibilities of the Committee on Science and Technology (United States House of Representatives) as it relates to its…

Factors affecting the state role in financing educational programs for special student populations are examined along with potential state policy considerations related to the provision of special services. An outline of the major problems facing state policy makers, such as federal budget cuts, teacher shortages, and the needs of gifted and…

Policy issues concerning foreign students that affect decision makers of U.S. colleges and universities were studied, along with the views of institutional representatives concerning the presence of foreign students, problems areas they perceive, and the formation and implementation of policy regarding these students. Attention was focused on…

In 1980, the American Petroleum Institute published the first edition of "Two Energy Futures." It described the U.S. energy experience of the 1970s and prospects for the 1980s, concluding that the nation could drastically reduce its dependence on uncertain sources of imported oil if the right choices were made by individuals and the…

This manual, intended to serve independent schools, is an update on an earlier evaluation of school heads and trustees. Section 1, "Evaluation and Why It Matters," emphasizes the relationship between performance evaluation and school purposes. "Examples of Evaluation of Performance," section 2, illustrates planned evaluation of six schools.…

This policy guide is designed to assist governors and state leaders in analyzing the issue of adult literacy and in proposing specific policy strategies for dealing with this national problem. The book offers practical guidance in two areas critical to effective action: it clarifies definitions of "literacy" and "illiteracy" and provides a…

This paper discusses the issue of pluralism and British society. The following topics are covered: (1) why it is desirable for Great Britain to be a pluralistic society; (2) how far the needs of minority communities can be accommodated without threatening British status quo; (3) what happens in other countries; and (4) what lessons can be learned…

This essay explores the somewhat uneven course of the public library as a knowledge institution in America and its relevance during the current information age, particularly in the United States, where there is a basic connection between access to knowledge and the political system. The public library situation is considered in terms of the…

In an era when competitive advantage is fleeting, change is constant, and the whole globe is business' arena, the United States needs to change its educational system as well as its perspective on education and work. Most thinking about how to educate people for work, whether in school or elsewhere, is as outdated as an old-fashioned assembly…

This paper designs a theoretical construct that integrates a number of mainstream systems of inquiry available to educational policymakers. Each system of inquiry has postulates, basic and derived concepts that characterize its epistemological foundations and methodological directives. None of these systems of inquiries, however, is proscriptive…

A study examined the governing system in two Florida community colleges in order to better understand the dynamics of policymaking and policy implementation at the two-year college. The study focused on institutional characteristics, specifically communication, and how this may affect state-mandated program implementation. It was found that the…

Suggestions for early childhood educators on how to provide developmentally appropriate practices and teaching methods are offered. Suggestions concern: (1) making decisions about entrance and placement; (2) evaluating a program's accomplishment of goals; (3) planning and individualizing curriculum and instruction; and (4) promoting appropriate…