The policy issues confronted by state governments in the area of early childhood programs are examined. Important points in decision making are the contents and financing of the programs and the trade-off between cost and quality. Three appendices include data sources, financial information, and policy options. (Author/VM)

Discussion centers on the legal bases by which school administrators permit access to public educational facilities by religiously and politically oriented student organizations. It concludes that access should be granted to students whose purposes do not disrupt teaching and learning. (JAM)

Discusses issues concerning foreign language teaching (FLT) policy in the European Community with special focus on The Netherlands, under the headings: (1) needs; (2) provision; (3) objectives; (4) methodology; and (5) the role of adult education and commercial interests. (LMO)

Anti-Semitism is discussed in the context of the social work profession's explicit commitment to multiculturalism and antiracism efforts in education and practice. Concrete suggestions for integrating anti-Semitism with other antiracism course content are offered, initiatives currently under way in North American schools of social work are noted,…

A study investigating factors in the variation in direct costs of medical residency programs across hospitals found that much of the current variation is attributable to accounting and not structural or location-related factors. A federal policy providing for a national payment rate per resident is proposed to replace the current system based on…

In the University of Massachusetts' multicampus system, an integrated suite of technologies called PRO*CAST provides administrators, planners, and policymakers with access to timely, accurate information to support decision making and monitor progress toward established goals. The system is structured as an information warehouse with executive…

Resource limitations and increases in the number of requests demand a rethinking of the review process of government documents for public access. State and federal trends may soon require a disclosure of database reports in electronic form. Issues central to the establishment of an adequate policy for electronic freedom of information are…

The process of reengineering the administrative information system at the University of Idaho required careful planning, development of a set of philosophies, and several strategies for ensuring success. The latter included a humorous symbol (a jitter bug) to express concern, improved institutional communications, and a focus on logistical issues.…

Describes various mistakes or disasters in national educational planning involving international comparisons, manpower forecasting, vocational "relevance," and government intervention and financing. Advocates less reliance on vague "macroplanning" and more emphasis on specific policies addressing particular educational issues and on…

This article explores the social context surrounding Lloyd Dunn's 1968 paper on educational reform for children with mild disabilities, noting the subsequent adoption of resource specialist services in place of special day classes, changes in numbers of students with mild mental retardation and their behavioral characteristics, and the current…

Asserts that current technology makes it possible to administer organizational surveys by using computers. Describes processes of conducting a computer-administered survey. Finds that respondents who complete computer surveys find them more interesting and seem to be more aware of their thoughts and feelings while completing them. (CFR)

Universities can effectively employ regional accreditation processes in striving to find legitimate means and credible mechanisms for more equitably evaluating faculty teaching and professional work. Examples from accreditation show how institutions can ensure compliance while establishing strong evaluation procedures for faculty service and…

The University of Houston's master's degree program in social work with concentration in political social work is described. The debates surrounding political social work education, which is a social-change-oriented curriculum, the importance of political actors and context in development of the program, and the nature of the program's integrated…

Examines opportunity-to-learn (OTL) standards, which define conditions that schools, districts, and states must meet to ensure students an equal education. Offers an explanation of the states' historical inability to influence equal education, and proposes principles for designing new state policies. Includes recommendations to the states for…

Educators from five states describe how state department initiatives and state legislation have affected staff development, noting how staff developers have influenced and responded to those efforts. (Author/SM)