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)

Knowing and contacting your congressman is an important part of every educator's efforts to influence legislation and to be politically alert, writes the author, but also important is knowing how the federal agencies most closely related to education are organized and operate. He gives a bird's eye view here. (Editor)

An expert on Capitol Hill describes the maze of federal agencies and Congressional subcommittees concerned with higher education. A chart on House-Senate committees is provided. (Editor/LBH)

Author criticizes Maryland's $2.5 million in scholarships awarded exclusively by state senators to their constituents. (HS)

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)

In order to be politically effective, it is necessary for local agricultural education programs to establish relationships with legislators, publicly recognize those that support the program, and have contacts with legislators during legislative sessions. (SB)

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)

In reaction to the Administration's request to consolidate federal educational programs for the handicapped, Congress has reaffirmed the need to retain the categorical nature of federal support for special education programs. (Author/SB)

Investigated perceptions of counselors, counselor educators, and state legislators in Ohio regarding impact of state counselor licensure. Most counselors and counselor educators felt that counseling licensure law had improved credibility of counseling profession in Ohio, provided greater protection for counseling consumers in the state, and had…

Public relations efforts of the Carroll County (Ohio) extension office included periodic reports to legislators, a toll-free number distributed on refrigerator magnets, annual calendar/report to the public, newspaper supplements, and town meetings. Long-term effects were a 116% increase in funding, used to upgrade staff, programs, and…

The aggressive drawing of black majority congressional districts has coincided almost exactly with the Democratic decline in the House of Representatives. Whether black electoral success and Democratic electoral success are incompatible is explored. Republicans have succeeded in forging a political alliance that enables blacks and whites to win…

Most tributes to the late Barbara Jordan focused on her life in public service, but this appreciation recalls her brilliance as a teacher. The values behind her noted voice lent her speech, as political figure and teacher, its authority. (SLD)

This article argues that many Conservative and Labour backbenchers have reacted to the Downing Street spin on the 2005 Education White Paper rather than to the White Paper itself. But it is acknowledged that an increase in the variety of secondary schools can lead to division, discrimination and a disturbing emphasis on hierarchy.

At a seminar, two Congressional staff members offered good tips on how it is best to communicate with legislators. Although offered in the context of communicating with Congress, these insights are also valuable when working with state and local legislators. This article discusses the key points that were provided in the seminar. In addition to…

Sealed for 50 years, the transcripts of the executive session hearings conducted by Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, as chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in 1953 and 1954, were recently opened for research. The Senate Historical Office edited the transcripts for publication by the Government Printing Office and on the…