Explores policy development in the area of youth violence prevention, using the experience of the California Violence Prevention Initiative, a five-year effort of community action programs, policy, and research, and leadership development. The interests that were served, and the interests that should be served, are discussed. (SLD)

Rigorous evaluations of welfare-to-work programs have had a major impact on the formation of policy in the area of welfare reform, but it is not clear whether the high level of evaluation, especially with regard to randomized experiments, and impact can continue. Evaluators must strive for research methodologies that provide results for policy…

Describes how Youth for Oakland United is working for positive alternatives to crime and incarceration. It argues for a critical need for safe common spaces for teens and cites preventive measures in cities across America. It documents how research on Oakland recreation centers resulted in a successful citizen ballot initiative for youth…

Reform policy adoption and implementation is examined in the states of Colorado and Maryland. The cases illustrate how three theoretical perspectives (institutional, rational/technical, and interpretive) facilitate an understanding of policy sustainability and adequacy. (MMU)

Despite Democrats' and educators' concern over the first Republican-led reauthorization of the Higher Education Act this year, Republicans supported the bill. Some observers feel the support is a G.O.P. survival strategy, and will not continue; some conservatives feel the party is caving in to higher education interest groups' demands. (MSE)

Discusses the importance of involving students in the design and enforcement of campuswide academic integrity policies, and in the education of other students about the importance of academic integrity. Argues that any approach to student discipline must involve a collaboration among faculty, administrative staff, and students. (GCP)

As location becomes less relevant to education choices, the need for a more comprehensive credit articulation policy increases. The Southern Regional Education Board's (SREB) Distance Learning Policy Laboratory is working to develop a plan that would facilitate credit articulation among the SREB's 16 states. Discussion includes challenges and…

Describes a public education program about solid waste management in Trinidad and Tobago, community action for environmental policy formation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and other environmental education programs. (SK)

The Tribal Disability Actualization Process used culturally appropriate deliberation processes and particpatory action research in considering policies for American Indians with disabilities. Talking circles on five reservations were used to achieve consensus on the needs of people with disabilities and derive community-driven solutions that are…

Describes how 28 private colleges have endorsed a set of policies designed to preserve need-blind admissions. The group agreed on guidelines for the formula used to calculate a family's ability to pay for college, resulting in more aid for more needy students. (EV)

An empirical examination of accredited American higher education institutions was conducted to obtain baseline data regarding copyright, intellectual property, and antitrust concerns in Internet-based distance education. A multiple-case study reviewing best practices of the top 10 accredited distance education institutions in American was also…

Examines best practice examples of student welfare policies that address bullying and harassment through strategies to promote a positive school ethos. Stresses the importance of teacher modeling of respectful relationships and promotion of effective conflict resolution procedures throughout the school community. (Contains 23 references.)…

Examines the limited communication between educational theorists and researchers, on the one hand, and policy makers and practitioners, on the other. Discounts the "two cultures" thesis for explaining the communication gap, arguing that the groups are heterogeneous and overlap. Discusses six approaches to closing the communication gap,…

The six chapters of this theme issue attempt to define conceptual and methodological issues in the evaluation of integrated services systems and to begin to synthesize some of these issues. An introduction to these evaluation issues is followed by case studies and a discussion of implications for program and policy development. (SLD)

Explores security challenges and practical approaches to safeguarding school networks against invasion. Highlights include security problems; computer viruses; privacy assaults; Internet invasions; building a security policy; authentication; passwords; encryption; firewalls; and acceptable use policies. (Author/LRW)