A discussion of the need for institutional research to address student financial aid issues in higher education outlines, first, a research agenda for use within institutions, and then presents a research agenda for emerging policy issues and the role that institutional research might play in positioning institutions to participate in national…

It is argued that behavior genetics should be part of social policy deliberations because behavior genetics studies can reveal which traits are more influenced by shared environments and thus are most malleable through environmental change. This is of particular interest in the case of IQ. (SLD)

Describes interviews conducted with administrators in Texas community colleges to determine how and why retrenchment policies are developed and their effects on the college. Suggests that policies are developed by committees of faculty and administrators to protect faculty and the college in times of financial crisis. (15 citations) (AJL)

Illustrates the use of concepts from the arts as metaphors to enhance educational policymaking, focusing on Alexander Pope's poetry, the development of planning models, and the interpretation of Quebec's Museum of Civilization as a metaphor and model for policymaking. Highlights the need for originality and creativity. (29 citations) (MAB)

Examines pitfalls in analyzing school-level data, particularly expenditure data. Examples come from Ohio's experience with creating usable data structures for examining school-level information, aided by a statewide, complex, multipurpose Education Management Information System (EMIS). Since districts can choose different reporting software…

Discusses the problems associated with schools allowing access to the Internet and describes the technologies currently available to address filtering issues. Presents a proposed solution for the Greek School Network, including the creation of acceptable use policies and selecting appropriate software. (Author/LRW)

Studied policy maker attitudes toward education and education reform in general, focusing on educational vouchers. Survey responses from 89 state legislators from 6 states show that policy makers generally accept the market arguments used by voucher supporters but are sympathetic to equity concerns and funding issues raised by voucher opponents.…

Provides examples of how federal agencies have responded to the possibility that terrorists could use information on their Web sites to plan further attacks, following the September 11 attacks. Discusses implications of the removal and alteration of government information and offers suggestions for developing a government-wide Web site policy.…

Considers the language of professional development and demonstrates how principals with different professional beliefs and understandings interpret the language of education differently. The work is based on a two-year study of eight principals in a school undergoing a teacher-supervision policy change. Lacking a common understanding of education…

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Board of Directors has decided not to re-examine a rule limiting the committees on which the Division I-A football conferences are entitled to hold a majority. Critics of the rule saw inequities in committee membership that would cause major teams to be governed by decisions of members…

Presents, as a general model for ecological reform in universities, a four-step process that has awakened The Pennsylvania State University to its ecological impact and is moving it toward sustainable resource-use policies. (EV)

Studied the development of the new Norwegian curriculum and the formulation of the subject syllabuses within broader related principles. Data from several sources, including interviews with educators and policy makers, show the tensions, conflicts, and achievements of the formation of the curriculum policy. Considers some implications for…

Reviews the development of educational statistical indicators, particularly as applied to national and cross-national issues of education, examining how an internationally cooperative effort reversed an earlier pattern of failure. The paper focuses on: history of social indicators; growth and institutionalization of international data collections;…

An overview is provided of the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education's report. Four recommendations are discussed: focus on results not on process; embrace a model of prevention not a model of failure; consider children with disabilities as general education children first; and target funds for direct services. (Contains 5…

Discusses how the controversy surrounding Franklin Roosevelt's court-packing plan was crucial in convincing law teachers that engagement with popular controversies through punditry could and indeed should become part of their job description. (EV)