The portfolio management models (PMM) has emerged as an important idea in educational governance over the last decade. In PMM systems, a district or other form of authorizer oversees a collection of independent organizations that operate schools according to their particular philosophy and strategic orientation. Yet underlying the design of PMMs…

How can States address the continual and extraordinary challenge of sustaining and adapting the reforms they have implemented to improve student outcomes? What steps can States take to do so in the face of inevitably evolving conditions--such as a change in resources (for example, the end of a grant), leadership (a transition in personnel or…

This document discusses the Assessment Policy Committee established to design and supervise the conduct of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and describes the legislation supporting the Committee. It proposes that the governance of NAEP be the responsibility of a board composed largely of educational policy makers, and those…

Analyzes data from questionnaires returned by members of major federal advisory councils on educational policy. Discusses respondents views of, and satisfaction with, their role. Suggests methods of improving councils' effectiveness. (AL)

The National Advisory Council on Women's Educational Programs was established in 1974 according to one of the provisions of the Women's Educational Equity Act, Public Law 93-380. The Council is charged with overseeing the administration of the program created by the act, making recommendations regarding funding of projects under the act,…

A congressional staff member explains why Congress has difficulty controlling the federal role in higher education and suggests ways the higher education community can help make the federal government a more effective and responsive partner, e.g. assessment of the impact of federal programs by a coalition of nongovernment organizations. (JT)

This hearing is the third of three on reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, and focused on the core mission of the act, removing financial barriers to college. Statements and testimony are included from: Honorable Jason Altmire, Congressional Representative from Pennsylvania; Honorable Ruben Hinojosa, Chairman, Subcommittee on Higher…

This report outlines the views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 40-member Advisory Committee on Services for Families with Infants and Toddlers in regard to the Early Head Start Program. This program, introduced in 1995, is designed to provide services to children from birth to age 3 (and their families) who were not previously…

With 30 Federal agencies getting in the education act, it's the job of the Federal Interagency Committee on Education to bring them together. (Editor)

This report on the National Advisory Council on Adult Education has nine brief sections: (1) an overview of the council's purpose, functions, history, methods, 1976-1977 mission and accomplishments, and future role; (2) a discussion of the functions of the executive director's office and the reasons for undertaking two projects (Futures and…

This paper offers examples of the ways in which research influences national policies related to assessment and program evaluation. It describes an ongoing evaluation being conducted by the National Academy of Education (NAE) of the "Trial State Assessment," a piece of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). At this interim stage,…

The purpose of this study was to examine the role, practices, and status of Parent Advisory Committees (PAC) as required by Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and the extent of PAC involvement in the educational decision making process in selected school districts in Texas. The sample consisted of 637 Title I PAC…

Research conducted to determine the degree to which federally mandated citizen involvement had been achieved in 15 Texas Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title VII Citizen Advisory Committees demonstrated, through the application of typology, that at no point was a high level of participation fully accomplished. (Author/CM)

The Advisory Committee on Testing in Chapter 1 evaluated current testing policies in the Chapter 1 program and offered the U.S. Department of Education advice on improvements and alternatives to the current system. After analyzing existing testing procedures, the committee concluded that Chapter 1's overreliance on a single testing method,…

This report outlines the activities of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) for fiscal year 1990, and presents statistics and information on Indian schools and educational programs. Parts I and II describe NACIE and its activities: advising the Secretary of Education and Congress on the development of educational regulations…