This paper is concerned with the relationships between educational research, policymaking, and educational change. It takes its title from the prevailing stereotype of educational research as a mirror seeking to reflect the realities of the task of teaching. (Author/KC)

Discusses two methods of curriculum policymaking in Great Britain. In the first method, a "philosophically competent" person who serves as the central authority figure makes decisions. The second method involves a participatory decision-making process. The author argues that a committee, following national educational guidelines, will…

Recognizing that community acceptance of potential juvenile justice treatment programs often determines the success or failure of the programs, an assessment model was developed to assist in policy planning. The procedure applies the tenets and methods of subjective expectancy utility models. (Author/GK)

Argues that students should have the same guarantees to freedom as adults in having access to media. A checklist for survival against censorship is included, as well as guidelines for writing a materials selection policy. (LLS)

In this critical review of TM 506 654, important design considerations surrounding metapolicy are described as the author argues the main points presented in the aforementioned. (GK)

This paper presents and attacks the argument that curriculum decision making is not a sufficiently recondite area to warrant helmsmanship by theorists, as is advocated by the neo-Platonic view that experts in a field should govern it. A different reason for rejecting control by experts is offered. (Author/SJL)

Introduces the concept of "Meta-Planning," or planning for planning, and the principal's role. The concept is directed at technical planning, for example curriculum development, in which each process results in a product. (Author/WD)

An analysis of advisory councils in France's centralized system also proposes a framework for such councils in policy formation in other countries. The analysis looks at the main features of such groups, how they are placed within the system, and what may be learned from the French experience. (MSE)

As knowledge has become the central economic resource of the post-industrial society, it is essential that government should be the catalyst for discussion and resolution of issues surrounding information technologies. The establishment of an Institute for Information Policy and Research is advocated. (MLW)

Analyzes research studies on the relationship between school integration and academic achievement of minority group children to determine if there is a causal connection, and discusses the importance of the meta analysis technique in policy formation. (ST)

Counterplans have become commonplace in intercollegiate debate, yet misconceptions abound. This article attempts to integrate thinking about counterplans with general debate theory. It reexamines the issue of topicality and sketches the basis for comparison of affirmative proposals with negative counterplans in the areas of presumption, inherency,…

Using five research topics mainly in educational administration as illustrations, the author describes some of the processes of Chilean educational research and questions concerning its impact on educational policy. (SJL)

Recounts changes in the responsibilities of states, school districts, and schools for curriculum development during the past 80 years. (MLF)

The use of evaluations for policy and program development and change is critically reviewed. Existing conceptions of utilization are discussed and improvements in the methods of detecting use are suggested. Five clusters of variables affecting utilization are described and hypotheses about the reasons for their effects are outlined. (Author/AL)

A review of decision research suggests that the design stage is a neglected aspect of the decision-making process. This study develops a conceptual model for analyzing the design of alternatives in organizations and applies it in three case studies. (Author)