The emergence of the America 2000 campaign has redefined the phrase national education agenda. More than at any time in history, the national agenda has become the federal agenda. Nevertheless, as this discussion reveals, the problems of urban schools remain largely ignored. (SLD)

Summarizes the private health insurance market, focusing on recent trends. Efforts should be made to preserve the current private health insurance system through comprehensive reforms that reduce cost and shift from public programs; control costs by competition, managed care, and global spending limits; and guarantee coverage for all groups. (SLD)

Reviews two documentaries produced by the U.S. government: "The Plow That Broke the Plains" (1936) and "The River" (1937). The first examines soil erosion in the Great Plains; the second considers Mississippi River usage. Narrates storylines and explains initial film criticism. Highlights the films' effectiveness for teaching…

The history of federal support of supplementary education for low-achieving children in low-income neighborhoods demonstrates the positive, although not statistically significant, impact of Chapter 1 and the Hawkins Stafford amendments and predecessors. Issues that must be considered in reauthorizing Chapter 1 in 1993 are discussed. (SLD)

Discusses politics regarding children's and educational issues. Argues that the Bush administration did not advance a clear, sensible agenda and that those on the other side embrace a social spending agenda for children. Suggests that the best government policies should empower parents first. Provides recommendations for the Clinton…

Discusses the Wright State University (Ohio) Library policy directive on customer service, and suggests this document as a model to follow in setting up service standards or guidelines for depository-library services. Draft-depository library public-service guidelines for government information in electronic format are appended. (JAK)

The goal of the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is to provide academic enrichment opportunities and youth development activities for children attending low-performing schools. A look at several rural and urban programs in Oregon and Washington reveals that successful programs mesh with the school culture and partner with…

The Goals 2000: Educate America Act, the centerpiece of the Clinton administration's education reform program, provides a fascinating case study of the challenges facing an activist administration in trying to craft federal legislation that can provide national direction and leadership in a highly decentralized education system. Goals 2000…

The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides an opportune occasion to take a fresh look at the federal role in teacher professional development. Funds designed to improve teachers' professional prowess currently are tucked into a number of federally funded programs--programs, for example, for students living in…

Over the last century, Americans have formed a social contract with higher education through the development of and changes to student financial aid programs. These federal, state, and institutional programs are the manifestation of the value we place on who should and who does pay the costs of higher education. Grants versus loans and low-income…

This observational study involved literacy and mathematics instruction of 145 teachers in grades 3 through 5 in 20 low-income schools enrolled in the U.S. government's Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) Demonstration program. Observed curriculum and instructional practices were primarily and coherently focused on acquisition of basic facts and…

A study reviewed the Adult Education Act's (AEA's) largest program--the State Grant Program, its coordination with federal employment training programs, and the extent to which the program ensured accountability for program quality and results. The study relied on national data in conducting its review and performed more detailed work in three…

This document, part of the Clinton Administration's "Reinventing Government" initiative involving a long-term, significant revamping of the federal bureaucracy, presents a comprehensive set of published customer service standards for the United States Government. It presents more than 1,500 standards representing commitments from more…

This report outlines the activities of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) for fiscal year 1991, and presents statistics and information on federally funded Indian schools and educational programs. Part 1 describes NACIE's functions and outlines 12 recommendations to Congress concerning educational policies, funding, and…

A study examined states' development of automated systems for the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program administered by the states, with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) responsible for program oversight and direction. Results indicated that ACF had not provided direction and focus in its systems development guidance…