Educators can influence their state policies by using their political clout wisely, clarifying their motives, and generating grassroots support. (Author)

Advantages and disadvantages of five policy approaches are examined regarding graduation requirements for handicapped students: pass/fail, certificate of attendance, the individualized education program, special education diplomas, and specialized curriculum approaches. (CL)

Describes the organization and work of the Policies Commission for Business and Economic Education, the policymaking body sponsored by the national graduate honorary business education fraternity and two national business education organizations. Reexamines the Commission's purposes and plans and lists its publications. (MF)

Presents how and why programs embodying family policy in Western Europe and the United States differ. By indicating current changes in these programs and how political decisions affect them, fruitful areas for family policy research are suggested. Family policy meeting needs of pragmatically defined parent-child units will be most successful.…

Discusses obstacles to achieving a functional working relationship between independent producers and the public television industry, and provides some guidelines for independent producers who have existing films or tapes or wish to produce something for public television. (CMV)

Notes some past and present recruitment and training programs, and argues that if the public broadcasting system is to reach its potential, the industry must invest more resources in the recruitment and nurturing of talent. (CMV)

Highlights program activities of the commission, and considers projected effects of the White House Conference on it. Future concerns are noted including the role of the school and public library, the needs of research and scholarship when knowledge is multiplying rapidly, and mediation between library and information services and users. (SW)

Questions the extent to which citizen participation at the local level is purposive (as opposed to supportive). Participation in activities related to local schools is used as an example of a type of activity which is generally supportive. Relevant participation literature is reviewed. (Author/DB)

Examines the premise that increased research provides important contributions to decision making. The study counterplan assumes that information can be developed in a way manageable to the policymaker, that study can assist in choosing from a variety of competing values, and that thoroughly researched decisions will be procedurally superior. (JMF)

Reports on the recent White House conference on arts education, where a major theme was educating the public--convincing it that the arts "are" basic education. (Editor/RK)

The Congress began the reorganization of the appropriations process by passing the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. It established new budget committees in each house. However, the efficient use of competent policy studies by Congress may still be blocked "by major obstacles--inherent both in the structure of Congress and in the incentives…

Effectiveness of internal feedback systems on policy is analyzed in terms of a sample case: elimination of segregated dual schools in the South. Findings show that evaluation by policy implementers seems less successful than evaluation by external agents. (Author/AV)

Considers the current food emergency and the long-term uphill struggle for nationhood in all of the developing nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. (Author/AM)

Suggests that freedom for the middle classes may mean vulnerability for the poor. The enthusiasm for sterilization may be so intense as to deprive the poor of their right not to be sterilized. (Author/AM)