This directory includes data on more than 800 legislators who are enacting policy in their state capitols from the perspective of an educator. With occupation as the starting point, a summary was developed for each legislator from the education profession. These summaries include his/her chamber and party affiliation, address, telephone number,…

This legislative handbook for child advocates in Florida features a description of Florida's legislative process, including sessions, leadership and procedure, committees, legislation, public access to legislative information, state publications, and critical stages in the passage of a bill. A legislative glossary and a chart showing the route of…

Explores how Indiana state legislators use statehouse reporters for information and publicity purposes, identifies characteristics of lawmakers associated with particular motivations for using reporters, and relates these characteristics to how reporters are perceived to influence the policy making process. (FL)

Recent Florida legislation provides for the training and use of paraprofessionals in guidance. This article discusses the preliminary hearings, content of the laws, and guidelines for implementing this legislation. (Author)

A study involving legislators was conducted by the Region 8 Regional Rehabilitation Research Institute (Colorado) and four Region 8 States to improve State legislative support for vocational rehabilitation programs, especially delivery of rehabilitation services to the rural disabled. Suggestions for improving ways to meet legislative information…

Finds that, although reporters and legislators in Colorado have similar views, reporters recognize this fact and legislators do not. (KS)

Colleagues, legislative staff, interest groups, administrative agencies, universities and think tanks, the media, and constituents are some of the more commonly recognized sources of information for state legislators. Results of a survey of 507 legislators in 12 U.S. states reveal that ethnic associations, grassroots organizations, the Internet,…

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…

A normative survey research methodology is described in which the author: (1) reviewed the historical development of the professionalization of public school guidance counselors, including selected literature, current state statutes, and court decisions; (2) constructed an opinionnaire, based on the norms uncovered in the review; (3) submitted the…

Discusses the process of moving state capitals (between 1776 and 1812) to achieve equal representation through geographic centrality. Presents contemporary arguments for the process including the belief that central location of the capital promoted better attendance by all state representatives. Describes how the system was replaced by numerical…

Questions the current push to improve education through legislation of higher standards in education. In Virginia the school boards association distributes a handbook of policies and resolutions to state legislators and asks that schools delinquent in standards be placed in receivership rather than impose educational reforms from above that are…

Changes in the capacity, internal distribution of power, habits of work, and composition of state legislators have increased their involvement and assertiveness in educational policy formation, oversight, and control. (Author/MLF)

A teacher, an aide, and four students from Manhattan High (Kansas) set out to defeat a bill to allow a young man to homestead an island important for its overwintering bald eagle habitat. Through research, lobbying the state legislature, and help from the National Audubon Society, the bill is defeated. (LC)

State and federal budget cuts make it increasingly important for child welfare organizations to influence policy development. Accurate knowledge of legislators' beliefs about child welfare issues allows agencies and advocacy groups to develop positive means of promoting positive legislation. (SAK)

In the face of more sophisticated data collection technology, California voters have demonstrated an increasing concern about their own privacy. In response, Assemblyman Cullen has proposed a bill to the state legislature which would require anyone opening an automated information system to send notice to the Secretary of State. This notice would…