The seven articles in this symposium review the Office of Technology Assessment report, Informing the Nation: Federal Information Dissemination in an Electronic Age. Symposium contributors comment on the recommendations and conclusions of the report, and offer suggestions to improve the federal information policy system. (CLB)

Adult and continuing education's record in serving culturally diverse populations can be improved through a multifaceted approach involving improved data collection, dissemination of effective models, enhancement of graduate and professional training, an expanded research agenda, and participation in policy development. (SK)

Emphasizes the need for rural school districts to develop an AIDS policy before it is needed. Discusses common elements found in many existing school AIDS policies, including community education and involvement in policy decisions, staff and student education, and consideration of legal and privacy issues. (SV)

This policy analysis of Texas Senate Bill 994, mandating teacher education reform, traces the legislation through several stages: problem recognition; agenda setting; policy formation, adoption, and implementation. Included is discussion of the bill's impact on teacher preparation curriculum, teacher recruitment, and teacher educator salaries.…

The political context of evaluation is described, with positive and negative influences. Strategies are proposed for preserving the credibility of evaluation in political contexts. Researchers must maintain the neutral posture of the basic scientist. (SLD)

The application of a perceived climate measure on a sample of senior level Australian academics is reported. Six factors were identified: organizational conflict and ambiguity; two leadership components (facilitation/supportiveness and directiveness); work group cooperation in policy committees and immediate workgroups; and organizational and…

Argues that collection development systems need to exert greater control over scholarly and educational information if the systems are to adapt to changing technical and economic conditions. Steps toward increased control should include categorization of sources and access by function, ongoing definition of a title-specific core, and the…

Ten issues concerning temporary leadership to be considered by the board in selecting an interim president are outlined. The considerations address timing, the process of seeking permanent leadership, objectives, length of term, insiders and outsiders, desired administrator qualities, the interim president's role in transition, public relations,…

Reviews past approaches to the preservation of Presidential papers, the development of the system of Presidential Libraries, and the development of the Jimmy Carter Library. The National Archives' approach to computerization to deal with the increasing volume of materials is detailed and the PresNet computerized information system is described.…

The Golden Rule settlement's application in Illinois has not improved passing rates for Blacks on licensing tests relative to Whites. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) will apply the Golden Rule procedure in Illinois as long as the settlement remains in effect, but opposes it as precedent for other legislation. (SLD)

Current legislation that improves services to target populations includes elements of mandated reform of certain professional practices. Such a mandate puts into practice changes that many have said were needed, but it also makes implementation of these policies more difficult. (Author/BJV)

Reviews psychological conceptions of giftedness. Discusses the current status of education of the gifted. Introduces current public policy issues and concerns related to future policy issues. Recommends new directions for research. (Author/BJV)

A general commentary on the present education reform in the country is made using the examples of the five state reports. Certain common national trends are noted, and a summary is given of the effects of these reforms. Speculation is offered on the future of the reforms. (JD)

Explores the relationship between urban executive officers and their political environments, first by reporting on how three types of these officers perceive their policy influence upon their urban legislatures and then by developing a paradigm of conflict management in the urban context to explore opportunities for research into social change and…

Student costs in most institutions are not determined by any simple economic model or desire to charge as much as possible; they are the product of a variety of state policy decisions. State governments should become more forceful in controlling future increases, especially for noninstructional services. (MSE)