Tips are offered for writing effective letters to Congressmen and editors in order to influence policymaking. (TA)

A report on a conference titled "Communication Policy and Planning for Education and Development." A systems approach to communications planning is outlined. (BD)

Describes three policy initiatives in Taiwan related to adult and community education: Five-Year Scheme (1992-96), Lifelong Learning-oriented Middle Stage Adult Education Development Scheme (1996-present), and the Whole Construction of Community. Discusses ways to bridge the policy-practice gap and increase participation in policy formation. (SK)

Notes the complex and emotive nature of surrogate motherhood. Describes a surrogacy arrangement that was apparently based initially on a clear agreement and partnership, but developed into a disputed adoption application when the surrogate mother became dissatisfied with contact arrangements. (HTH)

A Seniors' Independence Research Program involved older adults, family caregivers, and professionals in shaping health-care policy and delivery. The project was a case illustration of how research has made a difference to policy choices by stakeholder involvement throughout the research process. Strategies ensured stakeholder collaboration,…

Two community councils in England (Middlesbrough and Islington) used very different organizational models in implementing decentralization and democratization policies. Both communities considered community development and participation central to the success of the policies. (SK)

Investigates history of US influence on UK higher education policy and practice during the second half of the 20th century within broader context of cultural and policy encounters between the two nations during these years and considers relevance of the contested concept of "Americanization." Concludes that US exercised an important but…

Examines how Constitutional principles, specifically the doctrines of Federalism and the separation of powers, relate to e-government policies and practices. Suggests that the move toward e-government, with emphasis on the simplification of access to government information and services, must be considered with regard to Federalism and separation…

Considerations for policy research include environment at the time the policy was developed, policy-making tactics, rules, regulations and maintenance of policy. Advances in research methodology provide new frameworks for data collection and analysis. These considerations can help set the agenda for national vocational education policy. (Contains…

Discusses ethics and student assessment in distance education, focusing on strategies for minimizing academic dishonesty in online student assessment. Topics include acknowledging the disadvantages of online assessment and overcoming them; designing an effective, cheat-proof online assessment; keeping online courses current; and providing students…

Reports on an international survey of the activities of 13 institutions and projects that employ or are exploring strategies to preserve authentic electronic records. Topics include preservation techniques; selection for preservation; staffing configurations; cost modeling; access to preserved records; and policymaking. Appendices include…

Draws on an ongoing project on "Elites in Policy-making," aimed at critically examining the postwar "partnership" between LEAs, teachers, and the Ministry of Education. Challenges pluralism as the dominant theoretical approach to the study of education policymaking in the United Kingdom and argues for a more state-centered,…

Use of decision support systems (DSS) to increase the utilization of management science models and accounting information is discussed. It is argued that application of the conceptual foundations of DSS to evaluation and other forms of applied social research is an effective means of increasing evaluation utilization by policymakers. (TJH)

Analyzes the major proposals for drug legalization and discusses the possible consequences of these efforts if successful. Argues that the legalization of drugs would be an extremely complex undertaking and that most calls for such action do not offer specific proposals. Points out research that supports arguments against legalization of drugs.…