Identifying the growing interest in early childhood programs and services, this paper offers practical guidelines for collecting accurate and useful information about early childhood services in a particular country or region, focusing on data collection and system monitoring. The paper discusses how programs develop out of policy decisions and…

This final report describes the activities and accomplishments of the Consortium on Inclusive Schooling Practices, a federally-funded 5-year project to investigate the utility of a systemic approach for building the capacity of state and local education agencies to provide inclusive educational services. The project focused on four states…

Over the past 20 years, approaches to educational policy analysis have opened up to qualitative research methods and to sociocultural perspectives on schooling. This volume is a collection of studies that view educational policy from a variety of angles and at different levels of social life. It consists of 12 chapters: (1) "Are Pedagogical Ideals…

Among the most dynamic influences affecting higher education is the increase in the for-profit postsecondary industry. In 2002, for-profit institutions constituted 12% of the four-year colleges and universities in the United States, continuing a rapid pace of growth that began in the late twentieth century (NCES, 2003). As the economy moves…

Although there is a great deal of disagreement about how to handle the changes that confront postsecondary education, few will suggest that being wedded to the status quo is sufficient. Many contend that the future of higher education is up for grabs; how those of us in the "industry" respond will determine whether American higher…

Reviews the development of European Union's early childhood social policy agenda over the last 15 years, examining what part of the agenda addresses early years issues and what problems the EU should focus on. Raises questions that require attention and makes a series of suggestions as to what a distinctive European approach for early year…

Characterizes resource-allocation patterns across states and across districts within states using data on financial allocations to estimate the relationship between differences in state aid allocation policies and practices, district financial and demographic influences, and district-level allocation of financial and human resources. (Contains 46…

A report by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy finds higher education institutions have received $88.9 million from 12 conservative foundations in 1992-94, with $51.3 million going to just 16 universities seen as committed to influencing public policy. Limited evidence suggests liberal foundations are not taking a similar approach.…

Discusses diversity in the workplace and offers guidelines for practitioners in designing, developing, and implementing diversity training. Highlights include linking the diversity initiative to the organization's mission, cultural climate assessments, reviewing policies and procedures, needs assessment, learner analysis, establishing objectives,…

Concerned with Stephen Ball's theoretical and empirical contribution to contemporary "education policy sociology," this article examines the efficacy of his theoretical eclecticism, highlighting incompatibilities in his interpretation and application of certain social and political theorists. Ball's representation of the policy cycle, as…

Suggests that neoclassical economics has dominated educational planning and policy analysis for 20 years, despite ongoing economics debates generating different positions on planning issues. Considers the views of radical and institutionalist economists and implications for educational planning. Questions both the validity of the efficiency…

Methods of evaluating college and university student financial aid policies are examined in two case studies of institutions using different aid strategies: one that rewarded a few high-achieving students and one that emphasized student self-help. It is concluded that such research can be helpful to institutions in determining appropriate…

Describes efforts by the LBJ School of Public Affairs to draw on the strengths of the University of Texas at Austin while cultivating external relationships crucial to its research and service programs. Discusses its research partnerships, policy research projects, research centers and programs, professional development partnerships, public…

Explores World Bank's view of early childhood as an example of the globalization of childhood, arguing that the Bank's policies exacerbate the gap between rich and poor nations and between rich and poor within countries, and affect children's lives adversely. Explores inherent contradictions of policies that draw on traditional Anglo-American…

Analysis of the policy process (expressed in seven propositions) involved in the implementation of a flexible unified system of post-16 school and college education, a reform effort that led to a political crisis in Scottish education in autumn 2000. Concludes that the process of introducing a flexible unified system is inherently conflict-prone.…