Institutional factors that constrain the Congress's use of evaluation research are illustrated by a case history of congressional deliberations about the Professional Standards Review Organization program. Guidelines for researchers who would like to make their work more useful in the policymaking process are proposed. (Author/BW)

This paper examines two issues in telecommunications policy in which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has attempted to pursue policies that were distant from the policy desires of their supervising committees in Congress, and in which congressmen made use of various instruments of congressional influence: the FCC's attempt to…

Authors offered a provocative guide to what the public response to the Coleman Report may be; they reacted both positively and negatively in the name of parents, young people, taxpayers, teachers, and legislators. (Editor/RK)

Institutions, individuals, policies, and interactions are identified as the four research perspectives that have guided most legislative studies and that could help to identify promising areas for future investigation of education issues. The discussion of each perspective includes a review of landmark research and comments on its contributions…

A survey of state legislators reputed to be leaders in the field of education reveals their backgrounds, present activities, and plans for the future. (MLF)

While there has been an increase in the number of women elected to state legislatures, little is known about the impact of gender on state legislation. A longitudinal analysis was conducted of bills proposed by individual legislators in the Arizona State Legislature between 1969 and 1986 to investigate the relationship of gender to public policy…

By building credibility and using their expertise, educators can influence education policy at the state and federal levels. Appended is a list of federal telephone numbers to call for information and to reach legislators. (MLF)

In its role as a broker between the scientific community and the Congress, the Office of Technology Assessment evaluates the soundness of scientific conclusions for policy makers and ensures that research findings are included in formative policy analysis. (Author)

Understanding the relationship between interest groups and legislators is one resource for effective use of influence. As major social welfare decisions are made in the political arena, social work must commit itself to understanding and influencing the political process. The article states generalizations based on political science literature.…

The contributions of Senator J. William Fulbright to public policy in the United States are examined, focusing on a lifetime of public service and the global view that he brought to American policy formation. Cultural tolerance and international cooperation are seen as the major themes dominating his public life. Excerpts of personal comments of a…

Presents summaries and extracts of testimony taken from the hearings on the Department of Education Act held before the Senate Committee on Government Affairs in May, 1978. (MA)

Recounts the role of Congress in creating much of the New Deal legislation. Argues that the impetus for many pieces of legislation came from Congress, not from President Roosevelt. Suggests that the story of Roosevelt as mastermind was fostered by his assumption of greater executive power during World War II. (DSK)

While some teachers think cable television broadcasts of congressional proceedings reveal how public policy is made, others feel it is not a representative view, has limited access, and contains little useful material for the time required to obtain it. (MSE)

Studied policy maker attitudes toward education and education reform in general, focusing on educational vouchers. Survey responses from 89 state legislators from 6 states show that policy makers generally accept the market arguments used by voucher supporters but are sympathetic to equity concerns and funding issues raised by voucher opponents.…

Discusses the status of U.S. federal information policy. Topics covered include definitions of policy, the range of issues being covered, current actors and policy initiatives, and ways in which information science faculty can participate in the policy process. A bibliography of selected sources is provided. (10 notes/references) (Author/CLB)