Structural change in the economy is causing economic stress in rural America, especially in areas with a heavy dependence on agriculture, mining and energy, and manufacturing. This contrasts sharply with the 1970s, when widespread economic growth and vitality were the dominant rural themes. Rural economies in the 1980s are characterized by slow…

This report presents a comprehensive delineation of the principal issues in the field of international telecommunications and information, as well as an overview of United States policy in this area. The first part discusses international trends in protectionism and the politicization of international forums; it also outlines United States goals,…

In an effort to better understand the intents of those policies that prescribe state-level textbook adoption, a study collected and analyzed data from (1) the textbook adoption statutes of each of the 22 "state adoption" states, (2) documents and policy manuals produced by the state departments of education of each of these 22 states,…

This manual describes a systematic process for conducting an educational needs assessment at the building level which includes suggestions for the formation of an advisory group and the use of two Likert Scale surveys. The advisory group is composed of parents, students, and educators; this group carries out the tasks of understanding, planning,…

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 71 (ACR 71) requests California's three public segments of higher education to review those policies and programs that are aimed at ensuring that all graduates "possess an understanding and awareness of non-white ethnic groups" and to consider adopting necessary policies to ensure that goal. This report…

Extension community resource development (CRD) is primarily public affairs education at the local level, dealing with local issues. Two methods of public policy education are the advocacy model which picks two people with opposing views on a subject and lets them debate the issue, and the public policy education process which provides all relevant…

Designed to increase public awareness of military spending, this 5-part guide examines the process and problems of preparing the national defense budget. The publication begins with a brief overview of the 1984 defense budget. Major military programs, trends in budgeting, and key concerns in budget formulation are explored. Graphs and charts…

The Committee on Education and Labor oversight hearing on historically black colleges and universities focused on their unique role and mission in the United States. Colleges created to serve black Americans have existed for over 135 years, and during this time, they have demonstrated their ability to meet the special needs of black students.…

This paper reviews recent changes in Japanese telecommunications policy, assesses those changes, and evaluates the differences in the policy making and policy implementation processes in Japan and the United States. From this analysis, five lessons are derived for U.S. telecommunications policy: (1) the telecommunications sector is strategically…

The undergraduate education of teachers--improving their general education, the content of their majors, and the professional education course--must become a priority for more college, university, and state leaders. State-mandated standards have produced some significant changes, but these alone are not sufficient to stimulate all the needed…

The core of the U.S. social welfare system provides old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, and aid to dependent children. In recent years, as social and economic developments have created new vulnerabilities for the American family, observers are asking whether the system needs refinement and rethinking. The Project on Social Welfare and the…

This document reports the proceedings of a conference held in response to concerns about the nursing shortage and its implications for health care in the United States. Following a keynote address ("Nursing and Shortage: Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?") by Dona Diers, the document is organized in five sections, with each…

Regional Educational Laboratories were created in the early 1960s as a federally funded link between research and development efforts in education and school districts. The labs were conceived to be sensitive to the practical needs of administrators and teachers for educational innovations that could be implemented locally. However, over a quarter…

As a result of strong economic growth, limited growth of the working population, and a number of other socioeconomic factors, the United States presently has labor shortages in some locations for a variety of jobs. This booklet outlines various aspects of labor shortages and suggests ways that Department of Labor (DOL) activities might be used to…

The use and abuse of alcohol on college campuses is reviewed briefly and administrative responses are described. Campus initiatives include policy formation and enforcement, treatment programs, and prevention activities. Issues related to institutional liability are outlined, and important factors that bear on policy formation are detailed, such…