Discusses policy decisions that led to the privatization and commercialization of NSFnet; explains the roles of IBM, MCI Communications, and ANS (Advanced Network and Service); and suggests the role that the federal government should take to ensure that the NREN (National Research and Education Network) addresses issues of public access and…

The United States House of Representatives' committees that make policy of importance to higher education are described, subcommittee leaders are profiled, and members are listed by political party. Telephone numbers are also provided. (MSE)

The California History-Social Science Framework seems less prescriptive than some other state curriculum guides and more open to individual teacher decision making. However, the framework's main audience appears to be textbook publishing companies. Reforms will be implemented not by knowledgeable teachers, but by sanctioned textbooks aligned with…

Discussed are efforts originating in the Netherlands to assist the Soviet Union and Eastern European counties to form and carry out significant air and water pollution improvement policies. Examples of proposals and programs being formed are described. (CW)

Discussed is a study called "Gaining New Ground--Technology Priorities for America's Future" produced by the Council on Competitiveness. Highlights of the report are presented. Potential influence on federal technology policy is assessed. (CW)

This paper describes fraud and health risks to consumers from the unregulated weight control industry, reviews safe weight loss guidelines, notes the role of health educators, and argues for increased regulatory control measures. (SM)

Environmental, cost-benefit, and regulatory reasons for colleges to have a comprehensive consumption and waste management program are offered, and elements in a policy statement on recycling and resource use are outlined, including encouragement of precycling, reduction of use of disposable products, separation of recoverable and recyclable…

Presents historical trends toward rural development policy. Describes the agrarian perspective and the industrial and urbanization perspective as current visions which guide policy. Recommends a new vision focusing on "livability for people" and "viability of community systems." (KS)

Primary differences between U.S. and Canadian use of General Educational Development Tests are as follows: Canada developed French version and uses metrics in math tests; some provinces use grade-level certification, not used in the U.S.; Canadian-content social studies test was developed; most provinces/territories set uniform pass levels; and…

Argues that vitae of library and information science (LIS) faculty reveal interest in themes pertinent to information policy and skills essential to participation in political arenas, but that research activity supporting expert advisory roles is currently weak. It is suggested that LIS faculty should participate in policy formation when their…

Discusses liberal and conservative foreign policy contributions to the end of the Cold War, as marked by the rapid liberalization of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Emphasizes that the collapse of the Soviet empire occurred at the end of a decade of sustained conservative government in every major country of the Western world. (FMW)

The president of Teach for America, a privately funded teacher corps, believes that school districts, states, universities, and nonprofit organizations must assume new roles, implement substantial policy changes, restructure, and reallocate resources to improve teacher recruitment, selection, training, and assessment. (SK)

Develops the concept of policy model as an analytical tool for educational policy studies, using the Irish educational system as the cultural setting. Defines policy models as frameworks embodying linguistic, normative, and epistemic dimensions governing policy processes. Describes characteristics of policy model in relation to aspects of the…

Examines the problems associated with educational initiatives that seek to promote gender equity, explaining that such initiatives are inherently contradictory; argues that the danger in current gender theory, policy, and practice in educational policy is the replacement of one "truth" with another reinforcing the traditions sought to be overturn.…

Uses contrasting models of communication to illuminate historical tensions between the policy goals of liberalization and democratization. Asserts that the present public-policy conception of telecommunications is more closely aligned with the transmission model than with a community-cultural-ritual model. (CR)