Sampled Alabama Power Company customers (N=521) to predict public support for government assistance to older persons in paying their home energy bills. Results suggested that the elderly were perceived to be more needy, deserving, and grateful than low income, disabled and unemployed persons and those in poor health. (Author/JAC)

There is a substantial decline of confidence in public education in the United States. This decline mirrors and reflects an erosion of confidence in public authority and institutions in general. Dissatisfaction with public education may well contribute to and, thereby, engender further cynicism towards the state. (RM)

Recent pressures for school accountability and effectiveness herald a new public critique of schools and require that principals educate the public about the problems and goals of schools. (JW)

An analysis of how major research universities are responding to proposed federal grant and contract reductions is presented. Several large research universities were surveyed and experiences at the University of California are described. (MLW)

Presents a plan to begin the elimination of illiteracy: each family with a child who fails to achieve literacy in the public schools for three years in a row would be given the option of sending the child to the private school of their choice at taxpayer expense. (Author/WD)

Presented are the personal perceptions of Anna J. Harrison, president-elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, on current issues in science and technology as they relate to the integrity of science, impact on society, society's impact, the environment, public decisions, and human resources. (DC)

Fee, sociodemographic, and provider characteristics contributed little unique variance to explaining the volume of services used. Clinical considerations were, as predicted, most important in explaining service utilization. Implications for national health insurance are also discussed, since public third-party reimbursement did not lead to…

Decentralizing health services is a good way to make community residents more aware of health problems that need attention and to provide health services that are more readily accepted. (MB)

Statewide support for gifted education was assessed through a public opinion telephone survey with 400 respondents in one state. Results indicated general support for specialized programs, except residential schools, for gifted children. Appropriate public relations strategies utilizing such survey results are suggested. (DB)

Presents and interprets data concerning United States library referenda held in fiscal year 1995. Out of 45 capital fund elections, 39 (87%) were successful; and 52 out of 70 (74%) operating fund referenda passed. The article and six tables provide information on voting totals, funding levels, election specifications, and ballot competition. Nine…

States with programs to match private donations to colleges often find the demand for money far exceeds what they can afford to pay. This has resulted in some private benefactors getting frustrated and withdrawing their donations. Few of the proposals to reform matching grant programs have made much headway in state legislatures, and few colleges…

Although Americans still cling to the ideal of free public education, the broad mandate that once tied schools to this ideal and other social, economic, and political objectives is fading. Publics, created out of multitudinous self-interests, form via deliberation. Deliberative forums can produce an agenda for actions linked by a shared sense of…